Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s high-profile visit to the United States has been overshadowed by widespread protests organized by members of the Pakistani diaspora and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party.
While the visit is touted as a move to strengthen military and strategic alliances with Washington, angry demonstrators outside the luxury Four Seasons Hotel in Washington voiced their dissent against Munir. Protesters accused him of human rights violations, branding him as “Pakistanio ke qatil” (killer of Pakistanis) and “Islamabad ke qatil” (killer of Islamabad).
Footage of the protests shows crowds chanting slogans such as “Geedad, geedad, geedad” (“jackal, jackal, jackal”), a derogatory term suggesting cowardice and deceit, while a protester shouted directly at Munir. The viral videos have been widely seen as a diplomatic embarrassment for the Pakistani military establishment.
Pakistani-Americans gathered outside the hotel aimed to remind Munir of the alleged crimes he is responsible for against the people of Pakistan. PTI USA shared a video of the protests and emphasized that the demonstrators—many of whom are contributing remittances to Pakistan’s economy—acted voluntarily, motivated by a sense of justice for Imran Khan and their homeland.
In a statement, PTI USA’s Noreen Khan Niazi said, “The protest in America was carried out by patriotic Pakistanis — the same people who keep Pakistan’s economy alive through remittances. No one paid them. No one forced them. They stood up by their own free will — for justice, for Imran Khan, and for Pakistan.”
PTI further highlighted the protest on social media, describing it as a significant show of public dissent featuring banners, slogans, and digital van campaigns.
Nazia Imtiaz Hussain, Executive Director of The Alliance Organization, condemned the visit online, stating, “We’re here to protest the criminal dictator of Pakistan. Shame on every bootlicker supporting fascism — you betrayed democracy and spit on the suffering of millions.”
Despite the protests, Munir is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday for a working lunch, according to official schedules. This comes shortly after the White House clarified that Munir was not invited to the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14, despite earlier claims from Pakistani sources.
Munir’s five-day trip is primarily focused on bilateral discussions, including meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Topics on the agenda include regional security, military cooperation, and counterterrorism efforts.
The visit coincides with escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel, now in its sixth day, and comes amidst differing US positions on Iran, with President Trump calling for “unconditional surrender,” while Munir has previously shown support for Tehran—posing potential complications for US-Pakistan relations.
This is Munir’s first official visit to the US since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and was claimed by The Resistance Front, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Munir’s recent provocative remarks against India, including a statement about Islamabad’s “strategy to bleed India by a thousand cuts,” have drawn criticism in Indian diplomatic circles, especially given the timing of the attack.