Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad publicly criticized former President Donald Trump in strong terms for hosting Pakistan's highest-ranking military officer, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House.
Pointing to decades of distrust, Khalilzad reminded Trump of the Pakistani military's consistent history of accepting US aid while reportedly harboring those guilty of attacking US troops.
"Bottom Line: Gen Asim Munir can't be trusted," Khalilzad posted in a biting post on social media site X, in protest of the meeting.
Trump welcomed Munir to a lunch session at the White House on Wednesday and professed admiration, describing it as an "honour" to meet the Pakistani general. But Khalilzad vehemently differed from the gesture, saying, "President Trump is aware that the Pakistani military has been playing a double game with us for a long time."
Clarifying Pakistan's duplicity, Khalilzad stated, "Throughout the years of our military presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan accepted our aid while giving support and shelter to those who were murdering our troops. Likewise, throughout the war on terror since 9/11, the Pakistani security forces selectively assisted us as well as the al-Qaida terrorists. Where did we find Bin Laden? All cozy in Pakistan close to one of Pakistan's military installations. And Pakistan continues to detain Dr. Afidi, who assisted us in locating and killing Bin Laden.
Khalilzad Outlines Munir's Probable Agenda in Washington
In the same entry, Khalilzad surmised what the actual reason for Munir's visit was, contending that the Pakistani general probably arrived in Washington with a strategic five-point agenda under his belt.
Besides Indo-Pakistan relations, the General is likely to have the following on his agenda," Khalilzad wrote:
Selling U.S. investment into Pakistan's mineral resources via military-owned corporations and increasing bilateral trade;
Persuading President Trump to subcontract American interests in Afghanistan, specifically in counter-terror operations, to the Pakistani military—a step that Khalilzad cautioned would be catastrophic;
Presenting himself as a go-between for dialogue with China, riding on Pakistan's relationship with Beijing
Urging greater political legitimacy by framing his visit as a ratification of his mandate;
Asserting himself as a long-term national leader, implicitly affirming his role as Pakistan's de facto ruler.
Domestic Challenges in Pakistan Mount
While Munir might be relishing increased leverage and has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, Khalilzad noted that his command is by no means devoid of severe domestic opposition. He spoke about the contentious imprisonment of the country's most popular political leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who continues to languish in detention on what Khalilzad referred to as trumped-up charges.
"Despite having built up some popularity and risen to the position of Field Marshall, opposition is widespread against keeping the nation's most popular politician Imran Khan in jail on trumped-up charges," Khalilzad wrote.
He also pointed to the economic straits the country was in and the fresh outbreaks of violence in Baluchistan, a province plagued long with separatist insurgencies and political unrest.
