Symbolic affirmation? Pak bestows top military honours on US General who called it 'phenomenal counterterror partner'

Pakistan showers US General with top honour

Pakistan has awarded one of its highest military honours, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), to US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla, weeks after he praised Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in counter-terrorism efforts.

The move signals Islamabad’s continued alignment with Washington amid growing international scrutiny, including concerns related to the FATF.

The award was presented during a high-profile ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, where President Asif Ali Zardari honoured General Michael Kurilla for his contributions to regional stability and strengthening military cooperation between the US and Pakistan - a move seen as both symbolic and strategic in reinforcing ties with Washington.

During his visit to Pakistan, General Michael Kurilla was welcomed with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour. According to Radio Pakistan, the honour recognized his significant role in enhancing regional security and reinforcing strategic defence cooperation between the US and Pakistan.

The government also highlighted Kurilla’s key contributions to advancing counterterrorism collaboration between the Pakistan Armed Forces and U.S. Central Command.

General Kurilla had referred to Pakistan as “a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world” at a time when India was actively working to draw global attention to Islamabad’s alleged support for terrorism.

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining ties with both South Asian nations, stating, "I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can’t have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India,” highlighting the US intent to balance its strategic partnerships in the region.

This development follows heightened India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, carrying out targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and inside Pakistan.

After four days of heightened tensions, a ceasefire was announced. In parallel, Pakistan has been intensifying its diplomatic outreach to the United States - from Army Chief General Asim Munir’s lunch with President Donald Trump at the White House to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s efforts to secure trade concessions.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Saturday.

Pakistan’s renewed engagement with the US appears driven largely by economic desperation, as Islamabad seeks financial relief and international legitimacy.

This outreach is part of a broader attempt to regain favor in Washington, even as its track record on terrorism and regional instability continues to draw criticism - especially from India, which has consistently exposed Pakistan’s duplicity on cross-border terrorism.