India-Pakistan tensions: A conflict-induced image uplift for the Pakistan military | Latest in Indo-Pak relations

On May 9, 2023, Pakistan witnessed widespread protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. Thousands of supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets in major cities, targeting military and public properties in outrage. Less than two years later, on May 11, 2025, the atmosphere starkly contrasted. Pakistanis celebrated on the streets, hailing the military’s role in a tense stand-off with India, seen as defending the country against Indian aggression. Public sentiment sharply swung from dissent to support for the military following India-Pakistan clashes. Despite the military’s historical dominance in Pakistan, the recent events challenge traditional dynamics, with possible long-term impacts on civilian-military relations and perceptions of the military’s role in politics.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/20/how-conflict-with-india-helped-boost-the-pakistan-militarys-domestic-image?traffic_source=rss