A plane trailing a provocative banner reading “Resign Asim Munir” flew over the stadium during the Pakistan–West Indies cricket match in Florida on Monday, stirring political shockwaves and placing Pakistan’s internal affairs under international scrutiny. The message, aimed at Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, comes amid rising discontent over his leadership.
The incident occurred during a globally televised match, ensuring the protest would reach a wide audience. Eyewitnesses and social media videos suggest the banner made several passes above the venue before disappearing.
This unusual form of dissent appears to reflect deepening frustration within segments of the Pakistani diaspora and possibly internal factions. It has triggered speculation about possible involvement or knowledge of high-ranking political figures, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose proximity to the military establishment has drawn attention in recent months.
Observers note the timing and location were clearly strategic. With millions watching the match live, the protest was calibrated to ensure maximum visibility and impact. Unlike a social media post or press leak, the aerial display was a public and unmistakable act of defiance, bypassing state censorship.
Critics of General Munir accuse him of centralising power and influencing civilian affairs, including the recent crackdown on opposition leaders and alleged interference in the cricket board. The banner’s message echoed these sentiments, serving as a symbolic protest against perceived military overreach in Pakistan’s democratic and sporting institutions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Ministry of Defence have not issued any official statement on the incident so far.
The event is reminiscent of previous international sporting protests, but this marks a rare and direct attack on Pakistan’s military leadership during a live match broadcast. The episode has sparked intense debate both within Pakistan and abroad about the growing disillusionment with military control and the increasingly public forms of resistance emerging against it.
