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........

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