How Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir are being trolled at Times Square

A truck-mounted digital billboard in New York’s Times Square has turned heads after it displayed criticism of Pakistan’s top political and military leaders.

The visuals — now widely circulated on social media — targeted Paksitan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, portraying them in deeply negative terms while simultaneously portraying former Prime Minister Imran Khan as a wronged leader.

The display, which featured rotating digital messages, was reportedly funded by overseas supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party led by Khan.

It included several direct and unfiltered accusations, such as calling Munir a “Fraud Marshal,” “liar,” “loser,” and someone who would “do anything for self-interest.”

Zardari and Sharif were depicted as accomplices in political deception, with a label that read, “The deceiver and his two crooks.”

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This act of protest, occurring in one of the world’s busiest commercial districts, is being seen as an embarrassment and criticism of Pakistan’s ongoing internal crisis as the role of the military in civilian affairs deepens.

How Pak leaders are being called out

Videos capturing the billboard’s messages quickly gained traction online, especially among Khan supporters and critics of the military. One of the most prominent messages read, “Illegally detained for 2 years,” displayed alongside an image of Imran Khan behind bars.

Another line said, “Good work makes you stand tall, not fake titles,” criticising General Munir’s recent elevation to Pakistan’s highest military rank.

Times Square illuminated with Liar Fraud Marshal Asim Munir - The deceiver with his two crooks - Zardari and Sharif! Bezatti of Munir at International level by Pakistani diaspora themselves after being defeated in Military confrontation by India badly. 🤣🤣🤣 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/aSaWbXem8P

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 5, 2025

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A separate caption taunted, “Liar. Why don’t you also take a polygraph test,” referencing past controversies where the government tried to compel Khan to undergo a lie detector test.

The campaign took aim not only at Munir but also at former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, calling him a figure motivated solely by self-interest.

Social media commentary concluded that it was an example of Pakistan’s internal dysfunctions spilling into international public spaces.

The overall tone of the protest was one of ridicule directed at Pakistan’s establishment and a call for accountability, particularly in regard to the army’s role in governance and political manipulation.

What the backdrop is

Pahalgam terror attack & Op Sindoor

In early May 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, India launched Operation Sindoor — a multi-day military campaign targeting terrorist bases operated by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Indian Air Force strikes reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists, including senior figures such as Abdul Rauf Azhar and relatives of Masood Azhar.

The offensive, which continued until May 10, led to significant losses on the Pakistani side, ultimately prompting Islamabad to request a ceasefire.

In the immediate aftermath, General Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal — the first such appointment in Pakistan since 1959.

While Pakistan’s government cited his “strategic leadership” during the crisis as justification, critics allege the promotion was politically motivated and aimed at solidifying the military’s public image following perceived failures during the conflict.

A report from Geo News had claimed that Munir’s promotion was approved for “ensuring the security of the country” and credited him with implementing “best strategy and courageous leadership” in repelling threats.

However, detractors across media platforms and among the overseas Pakistani community questioned the legitimacy of such claims, especially in light of the high-profile casualties inflicted by the Indian operation.

The Khan-Munir rift

The friction between Imran Khan and Munir traces back to the latter’s brief stint as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Since Munir’s appointment as Army Chief in late 2022, relations between Khan’s PTI and the military establishment have sharply deteriorated.

In May 2023, Khan was arrested on multiple charges — including corruption, retaining state gifts, and leaking classified documents. His camp, however, has dismissed the allegations as part of a broader campaign by the military to erase his influence.

His legal troubles, coupled with successive convictions and disqualifications, have effectively barred him from contesting future elections.

Following Khan’s arrest, his supporters launched nationwide protests. Demonstrations erupted across Pakistan’s major urban centres, with one of the most significant incidents being the attack on the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore.

The state responded with an expansive crackdown, detaining thousands of PTI workers and leaders. Several members of Khan’s inner circle defected or went underground to escape arrest.

Despite this repression, Khan’s popularity among large sections of the public has remained intact. Even from prison, his supporters view him as a victim of political engineering and military overreach.

His party’s affiliates reportedly secured the highest number of parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections, but a coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif’s PML-N was ultimately able to form the government — thanks, many believe, to military support.

What the display at Times Square symbolises

The Times Square billboard is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of a wider sentiment among Pakistanis abroad, particularly in North America and Europe.

Many overseas PTI supporters see Khan as a leader who challenged the military’s influence and paid the price for doing so. For them, the billboard was both a form of protest and a way to reclaim the narrative.

This overseas anger comes at a time when Munir is consolidating power within Pakistan, and his government is increasing efforts to suppress dissent.

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While the Pakistani establishment continues to push the narrative of national unity and success in the face of foreign threats, public stunts like these highlight the persistent divisions and eroding public trust, especially among the youth and diaspora.

The backlash also serves as a reminder that, despite Islamabad’s official efforts to present Munir as a figure of strength and victory, for many — he remains a deeply controversial figure.

With inputs from agencies