Islamabad/Washington — In a development that has raised eyebrows across the Muslim world, Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, paid a high-level visit to the United States at a time of escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. The visit came shortly before or during coordinated U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iranian targets, further fueling public debate over Pakistan’s positioning in the Middle East conflict.
A Visit Under the Shadow of Conflict
General Munir’s visit, which included meetings with top U.S. defense officials and strategic briefings, was officially described by both sides as part of ongoing defense cooperation and regional security dialogue. However, the timing — coinciding with one of the most volatile moments in the Middle East — has prompted serious questions back home.
At the time of the visit, Israel had intensified its campaign in Gaza, while the United States was accused of supporting or participating in covert attacks against Iranian military assets, allegedly to prevent Iranian retaliation and support for Palestinian resistance groups.
While Pakistan maintained its traditional position of non-alignment in such international confrontations, the Army Chief’s quiet diplomacy with Washington during this sensitive period did not go unnoticed.
Public Confusion and Religious Discontent
The visit sparked confusion and concern among ordinary Pakistanis and religious scholars alike. On the one hand, Islamic leaders were issuing fatwas condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza and urging Muslim nations to defend oppressed Palestinians. On the other hand, Pakistan’s top military official was engaging with the very country seen by many as enabling Israel’s war in Gaza and confronting Iran, a Muslim-majority nation.
“The Ummah is burning, and our generals are shaking hands with those bombing it?” said a prominent cleric during Friday prayers in Lahore.
“This silence, this diplomacy, this neutrality — it’s not what Pakistan was built for.”
Pakistan’s Tightrope Foreign Policy
To its credit, Pakistan has not supported any action against Iran, nor has it recognized Israel. However, economic instability, reliance on Western financial institutions, and a desire to maintain defense ties with the U.S. have placed Islamabad in a difficult position.
Pakistan’s official statements continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East crisis and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Yet critics argue that such statements are no longer enough, especially as the Muslim world grows increasingly polarized and passive.
Strategic Priorities or Missed Opportunities?
Analysts suggest that the Army Chief’s visit may have been focused on counterterrorism cooperation, border security, and regional stability — particularly related to Afghanistan and China. However, the absence of any strong condemnation from the military or government during and after the attacks on Iran has led to accusations of moral ambiguity.
“In moments of global injustice, neutrality becomes complicity,” wrote a Pakistani political commentator on social media. “Our silence is not strategic — it’s shameful.”
