White House Denies Invitation to Pakistan Army Chief for US Military Parade, Calls Reports False

In a clear rebuttal to circulating misinformation, the White House has firmly denied reports that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was invited to attend the upcoming military parade in Washington. The clarification comes amid attempts by some to portray the alleged invitation as a diplomatic snub to India and a signal of shifting alliances.

A White House official categorically stated that no foreign military leaders had been invited to the event, labeling the viral claims as "false." The parade, scheduled for Saturday, is being described as one of the most elaborate military spectacles in recent U.S. history. It is intended to celebrate the founding of the United States Army on June 14, 1775—one year before American independence—and to project a strong image of American military might.

Adding further symbolism to the day, the parade also coincides with the 79th birthday of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to take the ceremonial salute. The event will feature thousands of troops, tanks, helicopters, and aerial flyovers, offering a rare glimpse of America’s full-spectrum defense capabilities. Such displays are uncommon in the U.S., which traditionally does not hold military parades like those seen in India or France. The last such display occurred in 1991 following the Gulf War victory in what was called the National Victory Celebration.

The fake news about General Munir’s alleged invitation stirred political controversy, particularly in India, where opposition leaders seized the moment to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic approach. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it a failure of Indian diplomacy, while an editorial in Shiv Sena-UBT’s mouthpiece Saamana accused the government of being blind followers of Trump and failing to defend India's dignity on the global stage.

However, with the White House's denial, the narrative quickly unraveled. It exposed the story as a politically charged attempt to stir tension between India and the United States at a time when both nations are enjoying growing strategic and defense cooperation.

For Pakistan, the debunked claim was seen as an attempt to claim diplomatic relevance. It followed recent setbacks, including the inability of former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s delegation to secure high-level meetings with senior U.S. officials during his visits. The narrative of an invitation to Munir was seemingly crafted to counterbalance that failure and present a perception of parity with India.

Ultimately, the White House’s swift and direct clarification has reinforced that the parade is a purely American event, devoid of foreign participation. It also serves as a reminder of how misinformation, particularly in a geopolitically sensitive region like South Asia, can quickly inflame public sentiment and disrupt diplomatic narratives if not addressed promptly.