Could US midterms reshape Pakistan’s relationship with Washington?

What the report says

Pakistan’s ties with Washington have improved markedly under President Donald Trump, even as analysts question how much concrete benefit Islamabad has secured. In an article published by Al Jazeera on October 27, 2026, the outlet said Pakistan has gained unusual diplomatic visibility through meetings at the White House, a reduced US tariff rate on Pakistani goods, and follow-on talks involving minerals, cryptocurrency and drones. The report said the relationship has also been boosted by Pakistan’s role in channeling contact between Washington and Tehran during the Iran war.

The article noted that this warmer phase follows years of strained US-Pakistan relations, shaped by American distrust over Afghanistan and Washington’s deepening relationship with India. It highlighted several recent flashpoints, including Trump’s public praise for Pakistan’s leadership, a White House lunch with army chief Asim Munir, and Islamabad’s nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. At the same time, the report said domestic critics in Pakistan accuse the government of tightening military influence and suppressing opposition.

With US midterm elections approaching on November 3, the piece said Pakistan would prefer Trump and Republicans to do well, though the broader policy impact of the vote remains uncertain. Some analysts quoted by Al Jazeera argued that if Democrats gain control, Washington could lean more toward India, while others said Pakistan’s longer-term value lies in its role in Middle East diplomacy rather than in any single US administration.