Saleem Bukhari
There was a time when Pakistan appeared in the strategic files of the U.S. State Department as little more than a footnote—sometimes a front-line ally, and at other times, a perennial “problem child.” The echoes of this turbulent relationship lingered in the corridors of Washington, where suspicion often outpaced strategy. Yet in 2025, the global chessboard has shifted, and Pakistan no longer arrives as an afterthought. It arrives, perhaps for the first time in decades, as a narrative unto itself.
When the footsteps of Field Marshal Asim Munir now resound through the marble halls of Washington, it is not merely the arrival of a military figure; it is the symbolic return of a nation—quiet, deliberate, and composed. His presence is not just strategic; it is rhetorical. It announces a shift, not only in alliances but in how Pakistan chooses to present itself to the world.
Field Marshal Munir’s latest visit to the United States, following his earlier engagement over a private dinner with President Donald Trump, comes at a time when the political balance in Washington has shifted decisively. Donald Trump, now restored to the presidency, once again commands the global stage—not as a cautious diplomat but as a blunt architect of a new world order. His vocabulary, once restrained by institutional formalities, has been surprisingly warm toward Pakistan. Terms like “close friend” and “wonderful people” have found their way into his public pronouncements—phrases rarely, if ever, extended to Pakistan in the American political lexicon.
Today, Pakistan is undergoing a quiet redefinition on the international stage. No longer is it perceived merely as a security contractor or a perpetual crisis zone. Instead, it is being seen as a regional balance-keeper, a bridge between competing empires, and a country whose geographical and political positioning makes it indispensable. It maintains strong economic corridors with China, and yet, in parallel, opens its energy resources to joint ventures with the United States. In a world increasingly defined by fractured alliances and cautious hedging, Pakistan’s new balancing act is being closely watched—and, in some corners, quietly admired.
Across the aisle, India—once Washington’s golden child—has found itself in uncertain waters. The Trump administration’s imposition of a 25% additional tariff on Indian exports was not merely an economic policy but a political signal. Prime Minister Modi’s deepening ties with Russia and his increasingly assertive posturing in the Global South have led to visible discomfort in Washington. For the first time in decades, India is no longer assured its seat at the center of America’s strategic affections.
Within this shifting atmosphere, Pakistan’s re-emergence in Washington is not an accident but part of a larger recalibration of global alignments. The recent energy agreements signed between U.S. companies and Pakistan, including exploration ventures in Balochistan, Sindh, and the Arabian Sea, signal the dawn of a deeper economic partnership. The same Pakistan that once received patronizing calls to “do more” is now welcomed as a “strategic partner.” That subtle transformation—from supplicant to stakeholder—lies at the heart of Field Marshal Asim Munir’s mission.
His official reason for visiting Washington is to attend the retirement ceremony of General Michael Kurilla, outgoing commander of CENTCOM. But anyone acquainted with the choreography of geopolitics knows such events are rarely ceremonial in essence. General Kurilla, one of the few voices in the U.S. military establishment who consistently appreciated Pakistan’s strategic perspectives, represents a chapter of mutual understanding that Pakistan hopes to extend. Munir’s presence at the ceremony is not just a gesture of goodwill—it is a quiet reaffirmation of continuity, trust, and recognition.
Field Marshal Munir is known not for flamboyant statements but for his quiet, unshakeable composure. Under his leadership, the Pakistan Army has pivoted toward institutional integrity, professionalism, and strategic depth. His diplomacy is not one of podiums and press releases but of private conversations and thoughtful recalibration. This visit is emblematic of his leadership style—deliberate, nuanced, and highly symbolic. Beneath the surface of routine meetings and diplomatic niceties, decisions are likely being shaped, understandings forged, and pathways opened.
Washington’s perception of Pakistan is also maturing. No longer viewed merely through the lens of counter-terrorism, it is increasingly seen as a state with potential to mediate, to balance, and to provide regional insight that few others can. Its experience with Afghanistan, its proximity to Iran, its careful relationship with China, and its emerging energy potential all position it uniquely in a world where predictability is the rarest currency.
The question, then, is no longer whether America will choose Pakistan. The real question is: will Pakistan finally choose itself?
This moment demands an internal reckoning. For decades, Pakistan has been part of alliances it did not shape, part of wars it did not start, and part of strategies that seldom served its long-term interests. Now, with the geopolitical pendulum swinging and power centers redrawn, Pakistan has an opportunity not just to participate, but to define. Not just to respond, but to lead.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s presence in Washington symbolizes this very choice. It is not a return to the old script. It is not the extension of the same asymmetrical dependency. Rather, it is the beginning of a new posture—self-aware, self-respecting, and strategically aligned.
Perhaps for the first time, Pakistan is not a pawn in someone else’s game but a player choosing its own move.
