Pakistan's relationship with the United States has long been characterized by strategic alliances, covert dealings, and periods of mistrust.

 

Introduction

Pakistan's relationship with the United States has long been characterized by strategic alliances, covert dealings, and periods of mistrust. In recent years, high-profile visits by Pakistani civilian and military leaders to the US have sparked speculation about secret agreements and the shifting balance of power within Pakistan's political landscape.

During former Prime Minister Imran Khan's tenure, his visit to the US in 2019—alongside then-Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed—was marred by allegations of undisclosed deals. Now, under a new military leadership, Army Chief General Asim Munir along with ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik who is also National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister have visited the US and reportedly met with President Donald Trump where white house has  arranged a dinner for the Pakistani military leadership. The conspicuous absence of Pakistan's current Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, raises questions: Is this a renewal of a secret deal originally negotiated by Imran Khan's government? Or is it an assertion of the military's dominance in foreign policy?

Imran Khan’s 2019 US Visit and Allegations of a Secret Deal

In July 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan, accompanied by Army Chief Gen. Bajwa and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, visited Washington, where they met with then-President Donald Trump. The visit was significant for several reasons:

Reengagement After Frosty Relations – Pakistan-US ties had deteriorated under Trump, who had suspended military aid and accused Islamabad of duplicity in the War on Terror. The visit was seen as an effort to reset relations.

The "Secret Deal" Controversy – Later, Imran Khan and his supporters alleged that Bajwa and the ISI had struck an undisclosed agreement with the US, possibly involving Pakistan’s stance on Afghanistan or counterterrorism cooperation. Khan claimed this deal later became a reason for his ouster in a US-backed "regime change" conspiracy—a claim the US denied and he never provided an evidence.

Military’s Dominance in Foreign Policy – The presence of Bajwa and Hameed in high-level discussions indicated that Pakistan’s military establishment, not the civilian government, held decisive influence over strategic matters.

The 2025 Visit: Military Leadership Takes Center Stage

Fast forward to 2025, Pakistan’s new military leadership—Gen. Asim Munir and ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik who is also NSA to Pakistani PM, reportedly met with Donald Trump. It is reported that President Trump said that he was honoured meeting Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir. The absence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from such an important meeting is striking and suggests several possibilities:

Continuation of Military-Driven Diplomacy – The visit reinforces the perception that Pakistan’s foreign policy, especially concerning the US, is dictated by the military rather than elected officials. This aligns with historical trends where the army has played a dominant role in shaping Pakistan’s relations with Washington.

Renewal of Past Agreements? – If Imran Khan’s claims of a secret deal were true, as after his visit India was able to take away all the constitution rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and declared it as a union territory. Mr. Khan himself said upon arrival at Islamabad that he is feeling like that once again he won the world cup. What does it mean, never explained to the people of Pakistan? A deal with India through Trump possibly giving consent to India for its action in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Therefore this is highly like is that this visit could signify its renewal or modification what Imran Khan govt had signed with the US. Keeping in view the US's continued interest in regional security (Afghanistan, China-Pakistan ties, Iran and counterterrorism), such backchannel understandings may still be in play.

Political Marginalization of Civilian Leadership –

The exclusion of the Prime Minister from the meeting underscores the weakening of civilian authority in Pakistan’s governance, with the military consolidating its control over key policy decisions or the civilian leadership of PML and PPP could be more pro-China.

Why No Prime Minister This Time?

Several factors explain why the current PM is absent from these high-stakes discussions:

Shehbaz Sharif’s Weakened Position – Unlike Imran Khan, who had a contentious but assertive stance on foreign policy, Shehbaz Sharif’s government is seen as more subservient to the military establishment. Moreover Imran Khan govt had stopped the CPEC where as PML/PPP are considered in Washington, more pro-China, therefore he was kept out. Furthermore it appears that the absence of PM may indicate that the army does not deem his involvement necessary.

US Preference for Dealing with the Military – 

Historically, the US has preferred direct engagement with Pakistan’s military leadership, viewing it as a more stable and decisive actor compared to the volatile civilian governments.

Domestic Political Instability – With Imran Khan’s PTI still a potent political force and the current government struggling with legitimacy, the military may be taking the lead to ensure policy continuity.

Conclusion: A Return to the Military’s Shadow Diplomacy?

The pattern of Pakistan’s military leadership engaging directly with US officials—while sidelining civilian leaders—suggests a continuation of the establishment’s tight grip over foreign policy. Whether this visit signifies a renewal of past agreements or simply reflects the institutional dominance of the army remains speculative. However, one thing is clear: in Pakistan’s complex power dynamics, the military remains the ultimate arbiter of relations with Washington, relegating elected leaders to a secondary role.

If Imran Khan’s allegations of a "secret deal" hold any truth, this latest visit could indeed be an extension of that understanding—further cementing the military’s role as Pakistan’s primary decision-maker in matters of national security and international alliances. Until civilian institutions gain true autonomy, such behind-the-scenes diplomacy will likely remain the norm.