Asim Munir met with protests outside Washington hotel
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir faces backlash as protesters gather outside Washington Hotel
Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, is facing strong protests during his official visit to the United States. On Tuesday, June 17, large crowds gathered outside his hotel in Washington, D.C., shouting slogans and holding signs against him. Many of these protestors were Pakistani citizens and people of Pakistani origin living in the U.S.
Videos widely shared on social media showed angry crowds shouting slogans like “Asim Munir, you are a coward”, “shame on you, mass murderer”, and “shame on you, dictator”. Protestors tried to block Munir’s entry into the hotel, while security officials tried to calm the situation.
The protest happened outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, where Munir is staying during his visit. One protestor filmed a video saying, “We are here to welcome Asim Munir. This is Washington’s Four Seasons hotel. This is telling him what he has done to Pakistan.” The camera then showed a message on a screen reading “Mass Murderer.”
The protest was mainly organized by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PTI has been a strong critic of the current government and the military’s role in Pakistani politics. They accuse the army of suppressing democracy and controlling the country's political system.
Before General Munir’s visit was publicly announced, PTI supporters had already planned a demonstration outside the Pakistani embassy in Washington. When news of his hotel stay became known, protestors shifted their focus there.
Why the protest happened
Many people believe that the military has too much control over Pakistan’s government. Protestors are demanding “unfettered democracy,” which means they want a system where the people — not the army — have full power to elect and remove leaders.
General Asim Munir has been accused by protestors of being involved in the suppression of political rights, including the arrest and harassment of political opponents, particularly members of Imran Khan’s party. They claim that he and the military have acted like a dictatorship rather than supporting democratic values.
The protest also follows recent military losses in the conflict with India. Some claim that Munir’s rise in power, especially his recent promotion to Field Marshal, happened despite these setbacks. Many people are questioning this decision and holding him responsible for failures on both military and political fronts.
There is growing frustration among Pakistani citizens—both in Pakistan and abroad—regarding how the army is running the country. Protestors believe that instead of working to improve security or the economy, the army has been interfering in politics and silencing critics.
Munir's visit to the U.S.
General Asim Munir arrived in Washington on Sunday for a five-day visit. According to reports, the purpose of his visit is to strengthen military and strategic relations between Pakistan and the United States. However, the U.S. government has clarified that this visit is not linked to the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations that took place on June 14.
There were earlier rumors that General Munir was invited to take part in the U.S. military parade, but the White House denied this. They confirmed that his visit is a separate diplomatic engagement and has nothing to do with the anniversary event.
The visit comes at a time when relations between the military and the civilian population in Pakistan are tense. Political unrest, accusations of election interference, and a struggling economy have created a volatile situation back home. Many believe that Munir’s trip to the U.S. is an attempt to gain international support amid this internal crisis.
Protestors in Washington are using his visit as an opportunity to highlight what they say is the army’s misuse of power. They want the world, especially the United States, to pay attention to the situation in Pakistan.
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The bigger picture
This event shows the growing anger and frustration many Pakistanis feel toward their military leadership. While General Munir’s trip was meant to improve ties with the U.S., it has also brought more attention to the political issues happening in Pakistan.
Demonstrations like this one in Washington reflect the voice of the Pakistani diaspora, who are using their freedom abroad to protest against the lack of democracy at home. These protests are likely to continue as long as people feel that their voices are not being heard in their own country.
General Munir has not responded publicly to the protest, and it is unclear whether this incident will affect his meetings with U.S. officials. However, the scenes from Washington serve as a strong reminder of the political tensions he faces—not just at home, but now also on the global stage.
