Berlin, February 14 – Prominent Sindhi activist Shafi Burfat, chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), has unleashed sharp criticism against the inclusion of Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at a major global security forum in Europe. Burfat labeled the invitation a profound insult to communities enduring systematic oppression in Pakistan.
Speaking out forcefully, Burfat highlighted how Munir’s military leadership has imposed iron-fisted control over Pakistan’s politics, judiciary, business sectors, and media. ‘Inviting him to prestigious international conferences in Germany and Europe is nothing short of rubbing salt into the wounds of oppressed communities facing brutal suppression in Pakistan,’ Burfat declared on social media platform X.
He accused Munir of direct involvement in atrocities against Sindhis, Baloch, Pashtuns, and other marginalized groups, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. ‘Political activists are kidnapped, tortured mercilessly, and their mutilated bodies dumped to instill fear,’ Burfat wrote, pointing to rampant human rights violations under Munir’s command.
Burfat’s outrage stems from Munir’s participation in the Munich Security Conference, scheduled for February 13-15. In a letter to the United Nations, European Union, and global human rights bodies, he raised ethical objections to platforming Pakistan’s military leadership amid ongoing regional grievances.
Reports from Sindh, Balochistan, and other areas detail persistent political repression, cultural discrimination, and economic exclusion. Burfat also referenced Pakistan’s controversial history of sheltering Osama bin Laden, which has severely damaged its international credibility and fueled doubts over its counter-terrorism pledges.
‘This is a critical moment to debate Pakistan’s security policies and global responsibilities,’ Burfat emphasized. He urged the Munich conference, known for upholding human dignity and democratic values, to reconsider the implications of hosting Islamabad’s military figures given their record of abuses.
The controversy underscores growing international scrutiny on Pakistan’s internal dynamics and their ripple effects on regional stability. As voices like Burfat’s gain traction, the global community faces tough questions about engaging with leaders tied to such contentious legacies.