The political comeback of Pakistan's military | DW News

DW NewsAbout 2 min readJun 16, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Key Concepts:

  • Public Relations Campaign: A strategic effort by Pakistan's military to improve its public image.
  • Narrative of Victory: The portrayal of Pakistan as the victor in the recent conflict with India.
  • Imran Khan's Popularity: The continued support for the jailed former leader despite the military's resurgence.
  • Civil-Military Relations: The complex and often strained relationship between the civilian government and the military in Pakistan.
  • National Security: The perception of the military as a protector of Pakistan's interests and sovereignty.

Pakistan Military's Public Relations Campaign

Following a recent conflict with India, Pakistan's military launched a public relations campaign to improve its image. This campaign included patriotic songs and narratives of victory, which quickly went viral. The central message was that Pakistan had won the conflict, particularly after allegedly shooting down Indian fighter jets.

Narrative of Victory and Public Perception

The narrative of victory has resonated with many Pakistanis, who view the conflict as a fight for survival. This has led to increased public support for the military, which is now being credited for a win in the biggest clash with India in decades. The phrase "PF versus IF 6" was mentioned, but its specific meaning was not explained.

Background: Conflict with Imran Khan

Prior to the conflict, the military faced a crisis of trust due to accusations of political meddling. Imran Khan, the popular former leader, and his PTI party claimed that the military conspired to remove him from power in 2022 and rigged elections to keep him out. These accusations damaged the military's public image.

Coexistence of Conflicting Sentiments

Despite the military's improved reputation, Imran Khan remains popular. The conflict has highlighted the military's role in national security, leading to increased support for the armed forces.

India's Perspective and Regional Tensions

India also claims victory in the conflict, and tensions between the two countries remain high. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a direct warning to Pakistan.

Rallying Behind the Armed Forces

Faced with external threats, many Pakistanis are willing to support their armed forces. Concerns about the military's role in politics have taken a back seat for now.

Conclusion

The Pakistan military has successfully leveraged a recent conflict with India to improve its public image. While Imran Khan remains popular, the military has gained support by portraying itself as the nation's savior. However, the underlying issues of civil-military relations and political interference remain unresolved.

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