Islamabad, May 20, 2025 — Less than two years after nationwide protests shook the foundations of Pakistan’s military dominance, the armed forces are now enjoying a dramatic resurgence in popularity, largely fueled by a recent military confrontation with neighboring India.
From being the target of mass outrage in May 2023 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, to being celebrated as national heroes after a four-day clash with India in May 2025, Pakistan’s military has experienced a sharp turnaround in public perception. But analysts caution that this popularity bump may be fleeting.
The May 2025 clashes, ignited by a deadly attack in Kashmir, drew missile strikes and aerial combat between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan’s government declared a victory, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif named May 10 “The Day of Righteous Battle.” The military’s Operation Bunyan Marsoos galvanized national sentiment, with widespread praise across media and public events.
From ‘Black Day’ to Celebrations
On May 9, 2023, military facilities were torched during protests over former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest. That date became a “Black Day.” But this year, Pakistanis celebrated the military’s “defense of sovereignty” with patriotic fervor.
The Army’s Enduring Influence
Experts like Maria Rashid of SOAS say the Pakistan Army has long crafted its image as the nation’s savior. Despite recent criticisms and the fallout of Khan’s ouster, the India conflict helped restore its domestic standing.
But observers warn this approval surge may be temporary. Political scientist Niloufer Siddiqui notes the future hinges on how opposition parties and Indian rhetoric evolve.
Perception vs. Reality
While Punjab province showed visible support, regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain skeptical due to military operations and allegations of repression.
Alam also said that with Imran Khan still in jail, it is unclear how much the military’s image has changed in the eyes of the former prime minister’s core supporters.
Analysts warn that despite the “rally around the flag” effect that becomes pronounced in times of international tension, public support for leaders and institutions is typically short-lived.
Niloufer Siddiqui, an associate professor of political science at the University of Albany in New York state, told Al Jazeera that it is unclear how long the military will receive an approval bump from the current crisis. Much, she said, could depend on “Indian rhetoric and whether it continues to be inflammatory”.
Siddiqui further added that it will also depend on the type of rhetoric in which the PTI, which previously was a harsh critic of the military, chooses to engage going forward.
London-based Rashid, who is also the author of Dying to Serve: Militarism, Affect and the Politics of Sacrifice in the Pakistan Army, said the big question for Pakistanis going forward would be whether they could draw a distinction between the military’s role at the borders and its involvement in domestic politics.
“We need to be able to call out the involvement of Pakistan Army in politics, but, at the same time, acknowledge that their performance at the border is praiseworthy at this moment,” she said.
Alam, meanwhile, said that the military, too, had lessons to learn from the crisis with India.
“The military must realise that success requires public support. We cannot remain in perpetual war with India,” he said. “We must fix our economy, or it will become an existential issue. It should be a sobering moment.”
What Comes Next?
Analysts like Arifa Noor and Muhammad Badar Alam suggest that unless economic conditions improve, even military victories won’t sustain public support. The military must now choose between political overreach and a more restrained, border-focused role.
Explore More:
- A History of India-Pakistan Kashmir Conflicts
- Pakistan’s Military Coups: A Timeline
- Maxar Technologies satellite imagery used in military assessments
