'New Beginnings' Post By Shehbaz, Drones From Munir’s Army: Who's Really In Charge In Pakistan?

Last Updated:May 10, 2025, 22:14 IST

India-Pakistan Tension: Experts in Pakistan have noted that the war with India could "present an opportunity for the Pakistani military to regain public support".

Pakistan's Army violated ceasefire with India on Saturday evening, hours after an understanding was reached with Shehbaz Sharif (R) government. (File photo: AFP)

Pakistan’s misadventures are far from getting over. Hours after reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, the neighbouring country violated ceasefire in border districts — with Srinagar witnessing up to 80 explosions. What’s more surprising is that while Pakistan’s Army was violating the ceasefire, its prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was posting a thank you message for US President Donald Trump on X.

Sharif thanked the US leadership for arranging peace and hoped that it would mark a new beginning for the resolution of issues in the region. “We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region. Pakistan appreciates the United States for facilitating this outcome, which we have accepted in the interest of regional peace and stability," he said in a post on X.

This raises a big question about political situation in Pakistan. Many are wondering if PM Sharif and Pakistan Army chief do not work in tandem.

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Experts in Pakistan have noted that the situation in the country could shift quickly, and the war with India could “present an opportunity for the Pakistani military to regain public support" — which it had lost after 2019.

Explaining the political dynamics in Pakistan, Umer Farooq, an Islamabad-based analyst and a former correspondent of Jane’s Defence Weekly, was quoted by BBC: “We have a deeply fractured political society, with the country’s most popular leader behind bars. Imran Khan’s imprisonment triggered a strong anti-military public backlash."

“Today, the Pakistani public is far less eager to support the military compared to 2016 or 2019 – the usual wave of war hysteria is noticeably absent. But if public opinion shifts in central Punjab where anti-India feelings are more prevalent, we could see increased civilian pressure on the military to take action. And the military will regain popularity because of this conflict," BBC further quoted Farooq.

The report also quoted Ejaz Hussain, a Lahore-based political and military analyst. He believes that Pakistan’s current standoff with India “presents an opportunity for the Pakistani military to regain public support".

“The Army may try to build support particularly among the urban middle classes who have recently criticised it for perceived political interference," he said.

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