Khawaja Asif stresses national interest amid warming US ties

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday clarified that the United States has made no demands from Pakistan after the recent improvement in bilateral ties. He said the sudden change came as a “positive turn” following the war in May.

Asif assured that Islamabad will act carefully on any future requests from Washington. “If any demand comes, we will decide based on our national interest,” he said.

The statement followed a high-level meeting at the Oval Office. On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with US President Donald Trump.

The discussions focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, and enhancing intelligence cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance were also present.

At the 80th UN General Assembly, PM Shehbaz praised Trump’s diplomatic role. He said the US president played a key part in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India after their four-day conflict in May.

“Trump’s timely intervention stopped a wider war in South Asia,” Shehbaz said. Pakistan has officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his peace efforts.

In recent months, relations between Islamabad and Washington have grown stronger. For decades, the US viewed India as its main partner in Asia to balance China. But the new engagement between Pakistan’s civil and military leadership with Washington shows a major shift.

A milestone was reached on July 31, when both countries signed a trade deal. The agreement included a 19% tariff rate by the US, while its trade deal with India has yet to be finalised.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement makes it clear that Pakistan will deal with the US on equal terms. The improved ties, Trump’s mediation, and the growing trade relationship suggest that Pakistan and the US are entering a new phase of cooperation.