Who really runs Pakistan? Trump names Asim Munir, skips Shehbaz Sharif in post on Abraham Accords

US President Donald Trump on Monday called on several Muslim-majority nations to sign onto the Abraham Accords as part of efforts to secure a broader peace deal involving Iran. But while listing the leaders he had spoken to, Trump’s post mentioned Pakistan's Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir instead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In the Truth Social post, Trump said countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye should normalise ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework brokered during his first term. He claimed he had discussed the proposal with several regional leaders over the weekend.

Also read: Why Trump's Abraham Accords push is a diplomatic headache for Pakistan
While referring to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by their official state positions, Trump identified Pakistan’s representative as “Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah”.

The omission of Sharif is interesting because Munir is widely seen as Pakistan’s most powerful figure despite not holding elected office. The army has long played a dominant role in Pakistan’s politics and foreign policy.

Trump has publicly praised Munir before. During remarks last year, he called the Pakistani army chief a “very great guy” while speaking about diplomatic engagements involving Islamabad. Analysts say Munir has built unusually close access to Trump and his circle at a time when Pakistan is trying to restore its standing in Washington after years of strained ties following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Munir has also emerged as a key figure in behind-the-scenes diplomacy related to Iran. Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and fears that a prolonged conflict in the region could trigger sectarian unrest, fuel shortages and fresh economic pressure at home.

Trump’s push for Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords could prove especially controversial. Islamabad has traditionally refused to recognise Israel until an independent Palestinian state is created, and any move towards normalisation would likely face strong resistance domestically.