A simple security protocol turned into an international spectacle at Germany’s Munich Security Conference, where Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was asked to show his ID properly. The viral video shows the Field Marshal being directed by an officer in a scene that’s equal parts mundane and meme-worthy.
Arriving for the event with his team on February 15, Munir approached the entrance when the officer stepped in. With a tap on his badge and a point to Munir’s ID, he said, ‘Can you turn it?’ The request for the card to face forward was standard procedure, yet it captivated onlookers and cameras alike.
Online, the response has been relentless. From humorous edits to biting satire, netizens have seized on the moment to humanize—or humiliate—one of Pakistan’s most powerful men. It’s a rare glimpse of protocol prevailing over prestige.
Deeper issues simmer beneath the surface. Sindhi activist Shafi Burfat of JSMM has vocally opposed Munir’s presence, calling it a slap to victims of Pakistani oppression. He accuses the general of imposing military control across key sectors and enabling brutalities against ethnic minorities.
In detailed X posts, Burfat highlighted the plight of ‘enslaved’ Sindhis, Baloch, and Pashtuns, implicating Munir in disappearances, torture, and killings. ‘This is an affront to those suffering under his regime,’ he declared, urging Europe to reconsider such invitations.
The Munich incident, while brief, amplifies these voices. It occurs against a conference agenda focused on global threats, where Munir’s participation was meant to address security concerns. Instead, it has spotlighted internal Pakistani strife, forcing a reevaluation of his legitimacy on world stages. As reactions pour in, the event underscores that no one is above basic checks—or broader accountability.