Washington/Islamabad: US President Donald Trump has been trying to take credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan for the past several days. Trump claimed that he had offered business instead of war to both countries. Although India has denied these claims, in the meantime the deal of American company World Liberty Financial (WLF) with Pakistan has focused everyone's attention. WLF is a cryptocurrency firm, in which Donald Trump's family has a 60 percent stake. The involvement of Trump's family and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir in the deal has raised questions about the recent activism of the US President.
The deal between the privately owned US cryptocurrency firm and the nearly one-month-old Pakistan Crypto Council has seen a surge in activity by some high-profile individuals. WLF, a financial tech venture focused on cryptocurrencies and blockchain, is majority owned by President Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr., as well as his son-in-law Jared Kushner. They collectively own 60 percent of the company.
Pakistan Army Chief plays key role
In April, a few days before the Pahalgam attack, the US firm signed a letter of intent with the Pakistan Crypto Council. Interestingly, the Pakistan Crypto Council was launched just about a month ago. According to a report in our affiliate Times of India, WLF sent its top officials, including Zachary Witkoff, son of Trump's golf buddy Steve, to Islamabad. In Pakistan, they were welcomed by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, who rules the country from behind the scenes. Asim Munir is said to have played a key role in the deal.
Witkoff is Trump's closest friend
Zachary Witkoff is seen as a strong hold in Washington DC. Like Trump, he is also a big real estate billionaire from New York. He is among Trump's regular visitors to his Florida golf resort Mar a Lago. Witkoff attracted world attention when he convinced Israel, UAE and Bahrain to sign the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term. Trump has now entrusted him with the task of completing the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
WLF's partnership with Pakistan has raised questions about the US President's involvement in the India-Pakistan tension. In recent times, the US President has been continuously making statements about reducing tensions, whereas earlier he used to call the dispute between the two countries their mutual issue.
