‘Stop, where’s your ID?’: Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir stopped for ID check at Munich Security Conference

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was briefly stopped and asked to produce his identification at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, with a video of the exchange quickly circulating online and drawing attention on social media.

A video circulating on social media showed a security officer instructing the Pakistani army chief to keep his identity card visible. Just steps away from the conference entry, a security official is heard saying, “Stop… where is your ID? Please flip your ID card.”

As per CNN-News18 Pakistan army chief Asim Munir was treated like any other attendee and required to furnish his identification as part of standard security protocol.


The video triggered debate online. While some described the episode as a diplomatic embarrassment, others pointed out that security checks are routine at high-profile international events. Former Pakistani military officer Adil Raja commented on the incident, stating that “no one knows him” on the global stage and alleging that Munir “obediently introduces himself even to gatekeepers when asked.”



The Munich Security Conference is an annual forum that brings together global leaders, defence officials, diplomats and policy experts to deliberate on international security challenges.

Munir’s visit was also opposed by Germany-based Sindhi political organisation Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), which termed the invitation “deeply regrettable.” Members of the JSMM staged a protest outside the venue, highlighting alleged human rights violations in Pakistan.

In a formal statement addressed to the United Nations, the European Union, the German government and international human rights bodies, JSMM Chairman Shafi Burfat expressed what he described as “deep shock and regret” over Munir’s presence at the high-level global forum.

The organisation alleged that Pakistan’s military establishment has a history of human rights violations and political interference. It referred to the 1971 events in former East Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh, describing them as genocide. The group also accused Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies of supporting extremist elements in the region, allegations that Islamabad has consistently denied.

JSMM further claimed that Pakistan’s military exercises disproportionate influence over political and judicial institutions. It cited the assassinations of former leaders Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto, as well as the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as examples of alleged instability linked to military dominance. The organisation also referenced the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, attributing it to tensions with the current military leadership.