Asim Munir Heckled by Pakistanis in US
NEW DELHI, June 17: Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, who is in the United States on an official visit, faced major embarrassment after being heckled in Washington allegedly by the Pakistani nationals and people of Pakistani origin.
The hecklers had gathered near Munir’s hotel in Washington to protest, calling for the restoration of what they described as “unfettered democracy” in Pakistan. Videos of the incidents surfaced on social media, showing people chanting slogans like–“Asim Munir, you are a coward”, “shame on you, mass murderer” and “shame on you, dictator” and “Pakistaniyon Ke Kaatil (Killer of Pakistanies)”– as the army chief exited the building.
People can also be seen arguing with the authorities as they try to stop them from entering the premises arguing that they enjoyed freedom of speech in the US. In another video, a mobile electronic billboard can also be seen parked near the building, displaying slogans like “Asim Munir, Mass Murderer” and “Democracy dies when guns speak.”
The protest was reportedly organised by the supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who have long opposed the current Pakistani establishment. Even before Munir’s visit was officially announced, PTI had called for a protest outside the Pakistani embassy in Washington.
Munir arrived in Washington on Sunday for a five-day official visit aimed at reinforcing military and strategic ties with the United States, according to Pakistan-based media reports. The visit, which sources described as “primarily bilateral in nature”, is not officially linked to the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14, despite its timing.
Earlier, there was buzz in international corridors that Pakistan’s Field Marshal was invited to the Washington Military Parade on Saturday, but the claim was categorically denied by the White House. The media report clarified that though Munir was in Washington on the day of the military parade, he did not attend the event.
Recently, the Pakistan government bestowed the rank of Field Marshal, the nation’s highest military title, upon General Asim Munir. The Shehbaz Sharif government officially justified the move on the grounds of Munir’s “exemplary leadership” during the latest military confrontation with India, ‘Operation Sindoor’ in retaliation to the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba-affiliated terrorists.
(Manas Dasgupta)
