How the Pahalgam Attack Is Recasting Pakistan Army as the Nation’s Defender – A Strategic Image Shift

Islamabad – April 25, 2025

In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam attack, a strategic shift is emerging in Pakistan’s internal dynamics: the Pakistan Army is steadily reclaiming its long-diminished public image as the guardian of the nation, a title it has struggled to maintain in recent years.

What was once seen as an institution marred by political overreach and economic entanglements is now leveraging national anger and regional tensions to reshape its narrative — this time, not through press releases but by positioning itself at the forefront of national security and sovereignty.

🛡️ Military Reclaiming Moral High Ground

With the civilian government under pressure and the public demanding a strong response to the rising tensions with India, the army has stepped into the vacuum. By publicly condemning the Pahalgam incident, summoning diplomatic meetings, and rallying patriotic sentiment, the army is now seen as proactive, alert, and assertive.

Analysts in Islamabad note that televised speeches, uniformed appearances in national broadcasts, and intelligence briefings have increased — all designed to show that Pakistan’s true spine lies in its soldiers, not in its divided political halls.

💬 Public Sentiment Shift

Interestingly, the Pahalgam incident has sparked a wave of pro-army sentiment on social media. Hashtags like #PakArmyZindabad and #DefendersOfPakistan are trending, fueled by nationalist influencers and even artists who were once critical of military interference.

Young Pakistanis, who once distanced themselves from state narratives, are now more vocal in praising the army’s stance, seeing it as a symbol of unity and national pride at a time of crisis.

🎯 From Image Crisis to Image Control

Until recently, the Pakistan Army faced sharp criticism for its alleged political role, involvement in media censorship, and influence over economic policies. But the Pahalgam fallout has become an opportunity for rehabilitation.

By taking a vocal and visible stance on security and foreign policy, the military is gradually rebranding itself as a necessary force of stability. This comes amid increasing calls for a “national consensus” on Kashmir — something that the army is quietly leading from behind the scenes.

⚠️ A Calculated Reset?

Critics warn that this shift in public perception could be part of a larger institutional strategy to regain control over narrative, policy, and possibly governance in the coming months. With elections around the corner and instability mounting, the military’s expanding influence under the guise of national defense might soon take center stage once again.

📌 Conclusion:

The Pahalgam tragedy may have been across the border, but its impact is resonating deeply inside Pakistan — not just emotionally, but politically. As fear and nationalism grip the region, the Pakistan Army is finding fertile ground to revive its image, reassert its authority, and possibly reshape the country’s future direction once more.