Trump may visit Islamabad for short period of time, says Khawaja Asif
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ISLAMABAD – United States President Donald J. Trump may visit Islamabad for a short time, said Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday. Talking to a local private TV, Khawaja Asif said that the reports regarding a possible short stopover by incumbent United States President Donald Trump in Pakistan remain unconfirmed. He urged caution over speculation circulating in media and political circles. Khawaja Asif stated that there are discussions suggesting that President Trump may briefly halt in Pakistan for around two hours while travelling en route to China. However, he clarified that no official confirmation has been received from either Islamabad or Washington regarding such a visit. He said that high-level foreign visits are always planned and announced through established diplomatic channels, and nothing can be considered authentic unless formally communicated by the relevant authorities. The minister added that even if a short stopover of a head of state were to occur, it would carry diplomatic importance due to Pakistan’s strategic regional position. However, he reiterated that at this stage, the reports remain unverified and speculative. Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan continues to maintain active diplomatic engagement with global partners, and all foreign interactions are conducted in accordance with international protocol. He cautioned that unverified claims often create unnecessary confusion in the public discourse. He further said that the government remains focused on strengthening bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional stability, while ensuring transparency in all official communications. The statement comes amid widespread media and social media speculation regarding a possible transit route involving the US president’s foreign travel plans. However, no official confirmation has been issued by either government. As of now, there has been no confirmation from Pakistani or US authorities regarding any proposed visit, stopov