Pakistan’s Military Makeover: Fakery, Fallout & The Myth Of Munir’s Might

In a country where uniforms often outweigh ballots, Pakistan’s army has mastered the art of image management. After every national crisis or military standoff—real or perceived—the military establishment emerges not weakened, but somehow rebranded as the saviour. The latest chapter in this spectacle revolves around General Asim Munir, now a Field Marshal in name, whose elevation is less about merit and more about mythology.

The sudden enhancement of General Munir’s stature amid ongoing regional tensions—particularly with India—is less a strategic necessity and more a carefully choreographed public relations campaign. It fits a well-established pattern in Pakistan: when the military faces criticism, it manufactures a new narrative of valour. This time, it’s the tale of Pakistan “outsmarting” India via drones, missile capabilities, and cyber warfare. State-controlled media amplifies it, social media trolls distort facts, and before long, fake triumphs parade as national victories.

This illusory success has had its intended impact in a non-democratic nation like Pakistan. In a country rife with economic despair, political chaos, and social unrest, a militarised myth of victory serves as opium for the masses. Public opinion, especially among the unlettered and unemployed youth, tilts once again in favour of the khaki-clad elites. A nation that should question its falling rupee, power outages, and inflation now claps for phantom air raids and imaginary technological supremacy.

But this applause is hollow. The truth—much darker—lurks beneath the camouflage.

The Cracks behind the Camouflage

The façade begins to crumble when one examines the facts. The same Pakistan Army that claims it has countered Indian aggression and drone threats is the one that failed to prevent the loss of 11 airbases and the proliferation of nine major terror camps, all of which operated suspiciously under its “security umbrella.” These weren’t isolated breaches. They signified a systemic rot, a failure in command, and the army’s inability to secure its own soil.

The “commendable performance” that General Munir is being decorated for stands in sharp contrast to ground realities. For a military that positions itself as the shield of the nation, losing control of key assets is nothing short of scandalous. But instead of accountability, there is an extravagant promotion. Instead of transparency, there’s an overdose of propaganda.

Civilian Democracy under Siege

Worse still, this glorification of military prowess comes at the cost of democratic institutions. In any functioning democracy, such failures would lead to a parliamentary inquiry, perhaps even resignations. In Pakistan, they lead to medals and muffled dissent.

The army’s grip on civilian life, which had slightly loosened due to its inability to stop repeated terror attacks and border intrusions, is once again tightening. The appointment of Munir as Field Marshal is a signal—not just to Pakistan’s citizens but also to its politicians: the generals are back in charge which can be prelude to imposition of Martial Law.

This has weakened the very foundation of democracy in Pakistan which superficially hinges on the crutches of military generals. Elected and most popular leaders like Imran Khan, who dared to challenge the omnipotence of Rawalpindi, find themselves either behind bars or politically castrated. Khan’s crime wasn’t so much of corruption or extremism—it was insubordination. He dared to question the military’s supremacy, and for that, he is now the object lesson for every aspiring civilian leader.

The hybrid model that Pakistan flirted with during Imran Khan’s early years—where the military operated from the shadows—is now dead. What remains is a full-blown military-mandated regime, fronted by pliable civilian puppet like Shahbaz Sharif, who acts more like project managers of GHQ’s agenda than independent statesman.

GALLUP SURVEY IS ALARMING AND FAR FROM GROUND REALITIES.

A Gallup Pakistan survey released on May 21 revealed a striking surge in pro-military sentiment, with 93% of respondents reporting an enhanced perception of the armed forces following the recent skirmish with India. Even more telling, 97% rated the military’s conduct during the conflict as either “very good” or “good,” offering a public relations boost for Army Chief General Asim Munir.The May 10 cease-fire, which brought an end to the hostilities, sparked widespread street celebrations across Pakistan. Citizens rallied with chants in praise of the military, a striking display of unity that even drew participation from members and supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—a party that has been in open conflict with the army since the 2023 arrest of its leader and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

The Putin Playbook and Manufactured Legitimacy

In many ways, the Pakistani leadership is borrowing a page from Vladimir Putin’s playbook. Much like how the Kremlin uses conflict narratives to silence dissent and justify its own authoritarianism, Munir and Sharif are building a fortress of lies. The idea is simple: manufacture an external threat, declare victory over it, and use that narrative to justify internal repression.

This strategy is not only undemocratic—it’s dangerous. It turns national security into theatre, reduces the electorate to spectators, and side-lines the real issues: poverty, illiteracy, and extremism.

A Brief History of Martial Interludes

To understand the present, one must revisit Pakistan’s chequered political past. Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has spent more than half of its existence under direct military rule. From Ayub Khan’s “guided democracy” in the 1960s, Yahya Khan’s disastrous handling of the 1971 war, Zia-ul-Haq’s Islamisation in the 1980s, to Pervez Musharraf’s military corporatism in the early 2000s—the army has acted not as guardian, but as a governing authority.

Each time, it claimed legitimacy through national emergencies or political instability. In every stance, democracy was derailed, media muzzled, and civil liberties crushed. Munir’s elevation and the increasing militarisation of civilian life today is only a continuation of this unbroken pattern.

Washington’s Cozy Equation with the Khakis

Adding fuel to this fire is the geopolitical indulgence that Pakistan’s military continues to enjoy—especially from Western powers like the United States. The Trump administration, during its tenure, strategically pivoted towards military diplomacy with Islamabad. In Trump’s transactional worldview, Pakistan’s army was a more reliable partner than its turbulent civilian governments.

This emboldened the generals further. Military-to-military cooperation strengthened, defence funding found its way back, and strategic dialogues resumed—bypassing democratic institutions. Trump’s infamous mediation remark on Kashmir brought the issue back into the international conversation. Though intended for regional diplomacy, it was cleverly co-opted by Pakistan’s ruling party and military to paint themselves as global players once again.

For them, it was not about resolving Kashmir—it was about reviving relevance.

Imran’s fall and the Rise of the General

Imran Khan’s ouster marked the final nail in Pakistan’s democratic coffin. His rivalry with the military's then ISI chief, Munir, was more than political—it was existential. His attempt to clip the army’s wings, especially by reshuffling top brass and challenging intelligence operations, triggered a backlash that was swift and unforgiving.

Now, his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), faces systematic annihilation. With Munir’s power enhanced and a politically compromised judiciary, Imran’s future looks bleak. The message is clear: defy the uniform, and you disappear.

Conclusion: The Masquerade of Might

Pakistan stands today at a dangerous crossroads. Behind the glittering facade of medals and missile claims lies a hollow state where democracy has been reduced to formality and real power rests with those who wear stars on their shoulders. General Munir’s elevation is not a reward for victory but a strategy for illusion. It is less about defence and more about deflection.

The army may have won the propaganda war at home, but internationally, it stands exposed—an institution desperate for relevance, trading accountability for applause, and turning national security into a spectacle. As long as Pakistan continues to exalt its failures as victories and suppresses dissent in the name of patriotism, true progress will remain a mirage.

In the end, a Field Marshal's baton may sway public perception for a while, but it cannot substitute for the genuine leadership, institutional reforms, and democratic strength that Pakistan so desperately needs.

(Writer is Strategic affairs Columnist and senior political analyst)

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