Islamabad, Pakistan – Over the past year, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has drawn repeated public praise from United States President Donald Trump, with analysts describing him as a key driver of Pakistan’s geopolitical reemergence as a soldier-diplomat. Critics, however, caution that serious domestic challenges remain and could intensify.
One of the most striking moments came at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private residence, during a December 22 news conference. While addressing Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has continued since February 2022, Trump cited Pakistan as an example of his claimed peacemaking record.
“We have stopped eight wars,” Trump said, before adding: “We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India.” He used the claim to bolster his argument that he could end the Ukraine conflict, despite earlier assertions that he could do so within 24 hours remaining unfulfilled.
“The head of Pakistan and a highly respected general – he is a field marshal – and also the prime minister of Pakistan said that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more,” Trump added.
The remarks marked at least the 10th time since June that Trump, who returned to the White House in January for a second term, has publicly praised Field Marshal Munir.
The most high-profile instance occurred in October at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt, held at the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. While thanking world leaders for their role in the ceasefire, Trump acknowledged Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was standing behind him, before turning to Munir and describing him as “my favourite field marshal”.
Earlier in the year, Trump had referred to Munir on multiple occasions as “a great fighter”, “a very important guy”, and an “exceptional human being”. Following their first meeting in June, the US president said he was “honoured” to meet the Pakistani military chief.
