Who is Asim Munir, Trump’s favourite Pakistani official who helped the ceasefire?

Donald Trump openly thanked one Pakistani mediator in particular for his help in brokering a ceasefire with Iran.

Field Marshal Asim Munir was publicly praised for helping the two countries reach a fragile two-week ceasefire.

Known as Trump’s ‘favourite field marshal’, the Pakistani army chief skyrocketed to power and has lifelong immunity from prosecution in his country.

He’s even been wined and dined by the US president, having visited Washington, DC, in July last year.

But who is the Pakistani army chief – and why is Trump seemingly infatuated with him?

How did Asim Munir rise to power?

Unlike other Pakistani army chiefs, he was not educated at British boarding schools or military colleges, but rather attended a state madrassa – or school.

After, he went to the Mangla Officers Training School, a less prestigious institution than the Pakistan Military Academy, where many other government officials got their start.

Munir went to study in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur before making his way up the ranks in Pakistan’s military.

After a potential war began brewing between Pakistan and India last May, Munir made his mark – claiming victory over India and sparking a movement of support for him.

Munir has also butted heads with former Iranian Prime Minister Imran Khan, who fired Munir from Pakistan’s intelligence agency in 2019.

Khan and his supporters have slammed Munir for ousting him from office in 2022.

The former Prime Minister still has widespread support in the public, but Munir’s command of Pakistan’s military has him at odds with Khan’s supporters, who believe he pushed for Khan to be removed.

Why is Trump such a fan?

It might have something to do with the fact that Munir, along with other Pakistani officials, nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

The nomination got him an invitation to the White House, where he dined with Trump, who dubbed him his ‘favourite field marshal’.

But Munir’s iron grip over the branches of Pakistan’s military and his authority over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons have raised eyebrows.

Many believe Munir is using his position as a mediator between Iran and the US as a chance to strengthen Pakistan’s relationship with the United States.

Kamran Bokhari, the senior director of New Lines Institute, told the New York Times: ‘It is in Pakistan’s interest to ensure that the United States reach an understanding with Iran.

‘Islamabad does not want the state to collapse in Tehran even as the regime is being severely degraded.’

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