ISLAMABAD – Pakistani diplomatic and government sources on Thursday denied widespread media reports suggesting that former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Pakistan in September.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said:
“We have no information about this matter,”
in response to questions about Trump’s alleged upcoming visit.
Earlier in the day, several local Pakistani television news channels, citing unnamed sources, reported that Trump was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on September 18, and that he would visit India following his Pakistan trip.
However, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports as “fake”, pointing out that Trump is scheduled for a state visit to the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, where he will be hosted by King Charles III, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, responding to Reuters, echoed the FO’s stance:
“We have nothing to announce,”
and directed inquiries to the White House, stating that confirmation of any travel plans would need to come from there.
One of the news channels that initially broke the story later retracted the report, issuing an apology for publishing what it described as an “unconfirmed” claim.
If such a visit were to be confirmed, it would mark the first trip to Pakistan by a U.S. president in nearly two decades, the last being by President George W. Bush in 2006.
Unconfirmed Reports of Trump-Munir Meeting Raise Eyebrows
Adding to the confusion, some media outlets claimed that Trump recently hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House—a meeting described as “unprecedented” and a “boost” to U.S.-Pakistan relations.
However, no official source from either Washington or Islamabad has confirmed such a meeting. Moreover, Donald Trump is no longer president and therefore does not have the authority to host official diplomatic meetings at the White House. No credible U.S. or international media outlet has reported on this supposed engagement.
Despite the questionable credibility of these claims, the reports suggested that Trump thanked Gen. Munir for playing a key role in defusing tensions with India, following a reported military escalation earlier this year.
Context: Ceasefire and Quad Diplomacy
U.S.-Pakistan relations have reportedly improved in recent months, particularly following Washington’s involvement in facilitating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, after an alleged four-day conflict in May. However, no international outlet has verified reports of such a confrontation, which included claims of missile strikes, downed aircraft, and a Pakistani operation dubbed “Bunyanum Marsoos”.
Meanwhile, India is expected to host the next Quad Summit, although no official dates have been announced. The Quad—comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan—is a strategic alliance aimed at maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in response to China’s growing influence.
Conclusion
At present, there is no confirmed plan for Donald Trump to visit Pakistan, and both Pakistani and U.S. officials have denied knowledge of any such arrangement. Reports regarding a meeting between Trump and Pakistan’s army chief also appear to be unsubstantiated.
As media speculation continues, observers are urged to rely on official statements and credible news sources for updates on international diplomatic developments.
