London, UK, 20 Feb 2025, Tribune’s Report: In a historic first, overseas Pakistanis gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in London to protest against the country’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, condemning the military’s escalating oppression against civilians. The demonstration coincided with Munir’s visit to the UK, where he attended a closed-door meeting with senior British military officials and the UK Home Minister, reportedly discussing regional stability and US-Pakistan military relations.
Protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans, denounced the Pakistani army’s involvement in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of democratic freedoms.
They accused the military of systematically dismantling the judiciary, silencing opposition voices, and censoring both mainstream and social media to prevent coverage of state atrocities.
“The Pakistani military, under Asim Munir’s leadership, has crossed all limits of brutality,” said one protester. “Political opponents and activists are being abducted in broad daylight, detainees are subjected to inhumane torture, and families of dissidents face constant harassment. Meanwhile, peaceful protests within Pakistan are being crushed with excessive force.”
This protest in London marks a significant moment in Pakistan’s history, as its diaspora communities, long considered a financial backbone of the country, have taken a firm stance against military rule. The demonstration underscores the growing global awareness of Pakistan’s deteriorating human rights situation and the increasing frustration among Pakistanis abroad over the country’s political and military crisis.
Despite strict media censorship within Pakistan, the voices of the people—both inside and outside the country—continue to rise. The question remains: will the international community step in before the situation worsens?
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