Umair Jamal
The Pakistani military’s popularity has surged in recent weeks, particularly after the recent clashes with India. The four-day clashes have been widely perceived in Pakistan as a victory that people believe only became possible due to the military’s firm response to the Indian attacks last month.
Pakistan’s civil-military equation has entered a new phase with the military’s image restored and public sentiment firmly behind it. A recent survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan found that 93 percent of respondents felt their view of the military had improved following the clashes with India.
Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir was promoted to the rank of field marshal following the country’s conflict with India. The government said that the decision was made in “recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy.”
Billboards with pictures of Munir’s face now tower over cities and towns across Pakistan. His images have been put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners reading: “You are our savior!”
This sudden shift in the fortunes of the Pakistani military concerning its approval ratings follows a couple of challenging years.
The last two years saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, target the military leadership for allegedly seeking to marginalize them.
In recent years, the military’s role in Pakistan has predominantly been viewed in a domestic context rather than as a means to counter external threats, especially from India.
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