A video showing a digital billboard in New York’s Times Square went viral on social media this week, as many users shared footage of a truck-mounted screen publicly targeting Pakistan’s military and political leadership. The video was widely shared on X, including by journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, whose post triggered strong reactions online. The billboard labelled Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir as a “Fraud Marshal” and a “Liar”, while also calling former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif his “two crooks.”
The display is being widely seen as a public embarrassment for Munir on the global stage, driven by sections of the Pakistani diaspora frustrated over recent military and political developments back home.
The Messages On Display
The rotating digital display, mounted on a truck, featured multiple pointed messages:
- “THE DECEIVER & HIS TWO CROOKS” — with images of Munir, Zardari and Sharif.
- “ILLEGALLY DETAINED FOR 2 YEARS” — showing Imran Khan behind bars.
- “FRAUD MARSHAL”, “LIAR WHY DON’T YOU TAKE A POLL”, and “WILL DO ANYTHING FOR SELF-INTEREST” — directly attacking Munir.
- “GOOD WORK MAKES YOU STAND TALL, NOT FAKE TITLES” — contrasting merit with Munir’s ceremonial promotion.
- “REAL HERO STANDING WITH IMRAN KHAN” — projecting Imran Khan as the true leader.
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The Military Setback: India’s Operation Sindoor
The backdrop to this diaspora anger is the escalation between India and Pakistan in May 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor — a military operation conducted in the early hours of 6-7 May. The strikes targeted terror camps linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar proxy, across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Over 100 terrorists, including top commanders like JeM leader Abdul Rauf Azhar and family members of Masood Azhar, were killed. The conflict lasted till May 10 afternoon when the Pakistan side requested a ceasefire in view of the heavy losses suffered by it in the attacks by the Indian Air Force.
Munir’s Controversial Promotion Fuels Criticism
Amidst this backdrop, General Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal — a five-star rank last held in Pakistan in 1959 — sparked widespread criticism, with detractors accusing the army chief of being rewarded despite the military setbacks. On social media, Munir has been widely mocked as a “Failed Marshal.”
