Threats Against Pakistan Army Chief in UK Protest Force Islamabad to Seek British Support

Islamabad/London: Pakistan has expressed serious concern over protests in Bradford, UK, targeting Army Chief General Asim Munir, during which demonstrators reportedly threatened to “treat him like Zia ul-Haq.” Islamabad has formally approached the Acting British High Commissioner, demanding action and requesting assistance to ensure Munir’s security.

The demonstrations outside the Pakistani High Commission in Bradford highlighted the growing challenges faced by Pakistan’s military abroad. Analysts note that the Army, which often speaks aggressively against India and Afghanistan, appears increasingly constrained in controlling its overseas support base, forcing it to seek assistance from foreign governments.

Details of the Protest
During the protest, one demonstrator reportedly made statements comparing Munir to former Pakistani ruler Zia ul-Haq, who was killed in a 1988 plane crash. The Pakistani government has raised video evidence of these threats with British authorities, calling the incident a form of incitement to violence rather than a mere political protest.

Implications for Pakistan’s Military Abroad
The incident in the UK underscores Islamabad’s growing dependence on foreign governments to address security threats against its top military leadership. Even within expatriate Pakistani communities, the government appears unable to exercise the same level of influence as it does domestically, creating concern in Rawalpindi.

PTI Reaction
Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dismissed the government’s concerns, calling the Bradford gathering a political protest. PTI sources argue that video clips have been selectively amplified to portray dissent as terrorism, aiming to silence foreign critics of Munir.

The party further accused the current Pakistani government and military of deliberately conflating overseas free expression with terrorism. PTI supporters claim that Islamabad is exerting pressure on foreign governments to curb political opposition abroad, reflecting the administration’s struggle for legitimacy at home.