'Asim Munir de facto leader': Ex-Pak minister says Trump ‘didn’t even' bother to talk about Sharif

Asked who was leading the talks, Chaudhry was unequivocal, saying there is no doubt that Pakistan is currently led by General Asim Munir.

Published on: Apr 16, 2026, 08:31:56 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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At a time when Pakistan is in focus in the context of sensitive diplomatic engagements between Iran and the US, a familiar question has come into focus: Who is spearheading the mediation in Islamabad?

US President Donald Trump with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir. (White House/ File photo)

Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has offered an insight, stating clearly that it is Field Marshal Asim Munir who is “leading Pakistan” and that the decision-making lies with him.

Is it Sharif or Munir?

On being asked who is heading the US-Iran mediation talks during an ANI interview, Chaudhry said, “Frankly, there is no two opinions about that. Right now, Pakistan is led by General Asim Munir. He is the de facto leader of Pakistan. The decision-making right now is with the Field Marshal or CDF... Even yesterday, President Trump actually named General Asim Munir as the Leader of Pakistan, and he has not even bothered to talk about Shehbaz Sharif...”

Second round of talks likely?

A Pakistani delegation is on its way to Iran to convey a message from the United States, Iran's state media reported on Wednesday.

Also read | Pak delegation heads to Iran with US message

The delegation might also plan for a second round of talks between both countries, Reuters news agency cited the state media as reporting. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei had also, earlier today during a weekly press briefing, confirmed that Tehran was “very likely to receive a Pakistani delegation” as a continuation of discussions in Islamabad.

US-Iran talks in Pakistan's Islamabad over the weekend had failed to produce any decisive outcome.

“Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,” AFP cited Baqaei as saying. Baqaei also said some of the US demands during the talks were “unreasonable and unrealistic”, without elaborating further.

United States President Donald Trump had also hinted that peace talks with Tehran could resume this week. This comes even as the US military put up a naval blockade which it said had cut off maritime trade with Iran. Trump told the New York Post on Tuesday that a fresh round of dialogue with Iran in Pakistan was imminent “over the next two days.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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