Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir

Force in Play

Completed Tehran visit; Pakistani sources confirm second-round US-Iran talks targeted for Monday April 21 in Islamabad, coinciding with ceasefire expiry

Iran and Oman say they're near a deal on new Hormuz shipping routes, but Iran insists that alone won't reopen the waterway. Tehran also wants the US to lift its naval blockade, roll back oil sanctions, and restart talks on Iran's frozen assets.

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Traveled to Tehran May 22 to meet Pezeshkian; traveled to Beijing with Sharif for Xi Jinping meeting May 25

The June peace deal collapsed on July 18 when Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi formally suspended Iran's commitments under the memorandum of understanding, citing US strikes that killed at least 50 people since late June. The breakdown followed a new escalation cycle that began July 7 when Iran attacked three ships in the Strait, prompting Trump to reimpose oil sanctions and declare the ceasefire 'over' at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8.

Updated Jul 18

Force in Play

Directing military pause during Eid ceasefire and China-mediated peace talks

Pakistan and Afghanistan are in their most intense military confrontation since the Taliban took power in 2021. On March 17, 2026, Pakistan struck a 2,000-bed hospital in Kabul, killing approximately 400 people and injuring nearly 250 — the conflict's deadliest single incident, according to Afghan officials.

Updated May 29

Force in Play

In office; leading counterinsurgency efforts

On May 24 and 25, 2026, the BLA struck Quetta on consecutive days, killing at least 53 people. A suicide car bomb detonated next to a passenger train; the following day, a car-park explosion hit the railway station.

Updated May 26

Force in Play

Architect of Pakistan's deeper military ties with Riyadh

Pakistan sent about 8,000 troops, 16 JF-17 fighter jets, two drone squadrons, and a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system to Saudi Arabia in early April. Reuters and Bloomberg confirmed the deployment on May 18. The forces arrived during active fighting; on April 8, Pakistan announced a ceasefire that both Washington and Tehran credited.

Updated May 19