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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has engaged with senior American military and political leadership during his ongoing visit to the United States, the military’s media wing said on Sunday, as Islamabad seeks closer defense and security ties with Washington. 

The development takes place as Pakistan eyes greater collaboration with the US under President Donald Trump. After years of strained relations, mainly over counter‑terrorism disagreements, both nations appear keen to rebuild military and economic ties under the new American administration.

“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is undertaking an official visit to the United States,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.

“During the visit, he has engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.”

In Tampa, the Pakistan army chief attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, and the change of command ceremony that marked the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper, his successor, the military’s media wing said.

Munir lauded General Kurilla’s leadership and his contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

He extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper, expressing confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges, the ISPR added. 

The Pakistani army chief also met US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed, the military’s media wing said.

“On the sidelines, COAS interacted with Chiefs of Defense from friendly nations,” the statement added, without mentioning the names of the countries. 

Munir’s engagements included an interaction with the Pakistani diaspora in the US, during which the army chief urged them to “remain confident in Pakistan’s bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments.”

“The diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pakistan’s progress and development,” the ISPR said. 

Munir’s visit to the US signifies growing closeness between Pakistan and the US. This is the Pakistan army chief’s second visit to the country since June, when Trump hosted him for an unprecedented lunch at the White House. 

Both leaders discussed the tensions in the Middle East, particularly the then Iran-Israel military conflict. 

Under Trump’s renewed outreach, Washington has praised Pakistan’s leadership and reinstated military cooperation previously curtailed over Afghanistan-related concerns. Islamabad, in turn, seeks to balance its longstanding partnership with China, including arms supply and defense infrastructure, with growing engagement with the US. 

Both countries last week finalized a trade deal according to which the US will charge a 19 percent tariff on imports from Pakistan, compared to a 29 percent reciprocal tariff announced in April that had raised alarm in Islamabad.

Separately, Trump highlighted a partnership with Pakistan to develop the country’s oil reserves. 

Pakistan’s powerful military, which has ruled the country directly for nearly half of its history and holds sway in political matters even when not in power, plays a central role in shaping its foreign and security policies.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has received more than 71,000 applications in the first phase of Hajj form submissions, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday, citing a senior official.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, with 129,210 seats allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators.

Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long package of 38 to 42 days or a short package of 20 to 25 days, with costs estimated between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million ($4,050-$4,236).

“The next phase will run from August 11 to 16, during which applications will be accepted along with the first installment of expenses,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Muhammad Umar Butt, said, according to APP. “In this stage, unregistered intending pilgrims will also be eligible to apply.”

The report said overseas Pakistanis can also apply through a close relative at any designated bank branch and will be required to provide medical fitness certificates upon arrival in Pakistan.

The official also said the ministry would stop accepting applications immediately once the allocated quota is filled.

����ֱ�� approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims.

Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.