Is Trump really heading to Islamabad in September? Official itinerary contradicts Pak media's claims

US President Donald Trump - File Photo (AFP)

Confusion continues to swirl over reports suggesting US President Donald Trump will visit Islamabad in September. While Pakistani media, including channels like Sama TV, have claimed that Trump is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on September 18, official information and international reporting confirm that Trump will be in the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19 for a state visit hosted by King Charles.

According to the British royal household, the state visit will take place at Windsor Castle – an unusual venue, chosen due to ongoing renovations at Buckingham Palace. King Charles will host both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for what has been described as an “unprecedented” second state visit, marking the deepening of US-UK ties.

Despite this clear timeline, several outlets in Pakistan have continued to push the narrative that Trump will also make a stop in Islamabad. So far, there has been no confirmation from the White House, the US State Department, or any credible international diplomatic sources to support these Pakistani media claims. This has led to growing speculation that the reports may be yet another instance of misinformation being peddled by Pakistani media – something that has become increasingly common in recent years.

The last time a sitting US President visited Pakistan was nearly two decades ago, when George W Bush landed in Islamabad in 2006. Since then, successive American presidents, both Republican and Democrat, have steered clear of Pakistan, a country widely criticised for its record of harbouring terrorist groups, curbing press freedoms, and allowing its military to dominate civilian policymaking.

Pakistani media's track record on accuracy, particularly in foreign affairs, remains questionable. Earlier this year, during the post-Operation Sindoor standoff with India, several news channels broadcast blatantly false stories, including fake videos and unverified claims about Indian losses. Many of these were quickly debunked, exposing a broader pattern of state-driven disinformation.

Last month, Trump did meet with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir at the White House. While some viewed it as a sign of potential thaw in relations, the meeting was neither publicised extensively by the Trump administration nor linked to any upcoming visit plans. It was widely seen as a routine, backchannel military engagement.

The ongoing confusion over Trump’s travel plans appears to be more of a manufactured narrative than a reflection of reality. If the President is confirmed to be in the UK from September 17 to 19, it would be logistically impossible for him to also travel to Islamabad on the 18th. Yet Pakistani media have not walked back their claims, instead fueling speculation and misleading their domestic audience.

In the absence of official confirmation, and with Trump's UK trip firmly on the calendar, it seems increasingly likely that the reports of a Pakistan visit are either premature, misinformed, or intentionally misleading.