‘Go To Iran’: Asim Munir’s Iftar Shia Insult Sparks Sectarian Storm In Pakistan | Exclusive Details

Last Updated:March 20, 2026, 22:10 IST

In his Friday sermon, Pakistani religious leader Syed Jawad Naqvi declared a metaphorical 'war' against what he termed an anti-Shia agenda

In what is being described as a watershed moment for sectarian relations in Pakistan, a high-profile Iftar gathering on March 19 has ignited a nationwide firestorm. CNN-News18 has accessed exclusive details of the meeting where Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, reportedly delivered a direct and humiliating rebuke to the country’s top Shia ulema. Sources present at the event describe a tense, one-hour monologue in which the General refused to allow the religious scholars even a single minute to respond or raise the pressing concerns of their community. The encounter has left the Shia leadership feeling fundamentally insulted, with Maulana Hasnain Abbas Gardezi noting that the General’s tone and the triviality of some of his remarks were entirely unbecoming of an officer holding such a high-profile constitutional office.

The ‘Go to Iran’ Ultimatum

The crux of the outrage stems from a specific, inflammatory remark made by General Munir during the session. While addressing the scholars, he reportedly told them, “If you love Iran so much, then go to Iran." This framing has been interpreted by the community as an attempt to equate religious and emotional solidarity with a foreign spiritual centre as proof of disloyalty to the Pakistani state. Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi, who attempted to intervene multiple times during the speech to seek a dialogue, expressed shock at the General’s manner. Despite being promised a follow-up session after dinner, the scholars were reportedly left waiting as the Army Chief made a sudden exit, further deepening the sense of professional and personal disrespect.

Erasing History and the Legacy of the Founders

Shia leaders have hit back with a firm historical reminder, asserting that their hearts beat for Islam and Pakistan, not merely for a foreign geopolitical entity. They argue that General Munir’s rhetoric effectively erases the foundational role of Shia personalities in the very creation of Pakistan. Critics point out that the country’s founder, several key Muslim League leaders, and significant financial resources during the independence movement were provided by the Shia community. By suggesting that Shia loyalties belong elsewhere, the military establishment is accused of ignoring a centuries-old religious connection to spiritual sites in Makkah, Madina, Iraq, and Iran—a connection they maintain is entirely compatible with their deeper historical stake in the Pakistani nation.

A Revival of ‘Zia-Era Suppression’

The fallout has reached the pulpits of the nation’s most influential mosques. In his Friday sermon, Syed Jawad Naqvi declared a metaphorical “war" against what he termed an anti-Shia agenda, drawing direct comparisons between General Munir’s behaviour and the dark era of General Zia-ul-Haq. The systematic suppression and pressure currently being felt by the community are seen as a revival of state-backed hostility. The tensions are further complicated by the ulema’s criticism of the military’s strategic decisions, specifically regarding the handover of military bases to foreign powers they label as infidels. By linking their love for Iran to betrayal, the state is seen as attempting to silence legitimate political and religious dissent through a narrow and exclusionary definition of patriotism.

News world ‘Go To Iran’: Asim Munir’s Iftar Shia Insult Sparks Sectarian Storm In Pakistan | Exclusive Details

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