.jpg)
4 hours ago
1
Article content
(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump is expected to meet Pakistan’s army chief for talks as the US considers supporting Israeli airstrikes on Iran — a partner of the government in Islamabad.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The lunch meeting between Trump and Pakistan’s Asim Munir is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. Washington time Wednesday in the White House Cabinet Room, according to the president’s daily public schedule. It would be the first of its kind with a high-ranking Pakistani official since Trump returned to the White House.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Neither Pakistan’s army nor the government has confirmed the Trump meeting, which would be a rarity. Ahead of the planned meeting, Pakistan has spoken to Iran about wanting talks and signaled that Islamabad may seek a role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Trump met his national security team for more than an hour on Tuesday, fueling fresh speculation that the US is on the verge of joining Israel’s attack on Iran. American weapons are seen as crucial to achieving a more complete dismantling of the Islamic Republic’s atomic program than anything Israel can do alone.
Article content
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Monday that Iran was willing to return to the negotiating table if Israel refrains from further strikes, citing direct communication with his Iranian counterpart. “Our intention was always to see successful negotiations between the United States and Iran,” Dar said in parliament.
Article content
The Pakistani military leader is also expected to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his US trip, media in the South Asian country reported.
Article content
Article content
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a social media post over the weekend that he has spoken with Iran’s president “to express Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran in the face of Israel’s unprovoked aggression.”
Article content
Atomic ties between Iran and Pakistan date back for decades. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog and others have accused Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan’s atomic weapons program, of supplying Iran and others with centrifuge designs and components for a nuclear program.
Article content
Munir’s visit also represents Pakistan’s first high-level dispatch to Washington since it and its fellow nuclear-armed neighbor India in early May experienced one of their most serious military confrontations in years.
Article content
The conflict was touched off by a deadly attack on tourists by gunmen who killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. New Delhi called the massacre an act of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan. Leaders in Islamabad have denied involvement.
Article content
Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here.
English (US)