Why Pakistani Army Chief Faced Public Shame During His US Visit

Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir found himself at the center of controversy and protest during his five-day visit to Washington, D.C., as members of the Pakistani diaspora staged a loud and highly publicized demonstration outside the Four Seasons hotel where he was staying.

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The protests, reportedly organized or at least supported by members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, highlighted the growing anger among sections of the Pakistani public—both at home and abroad—toward the country's powerful military establishment.

Videos circulating on social media show protesters calling Munir a "coward," "mass murderer," and "Pakistaniyon ke qatil" (killer of Pakistanis). Chants of "shame on you, Asim Munir" echoed outside the hotel, with demonstrators demanding the restoration of "unfettered democracy" in Pakistan. Some protesters attempted to enter the hotel premises and were confronted by hotel security. Though no arrests were reported, the incident drew attention to the growing tensions between Pakistan's military leadership and civilian democratic forces.