Following the recent conflict with India, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has lauded the Pakistan Army, a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked debate across the nation. This endorsement comes after a period of strained relations between Khan and the military establishment, adding a layer of complexity to the already intricate political landscape of Pakistan.

Khan, who has been incarcerated for nearly two years, conveyed his sentiments via a post on X, praising the "collective retaliation" of the Pakistani nation after India's alleged attack. He asserted that the situation proved Pakistanis to be brave, proud, and dignified. Khan also credited the Pakistani people, particularly those active on social media, for countering the Indian narrative during the conflict.

"Mulk bhi mera, Fauj bhi meri" (this country is mine, and so is the army), Khan stated, echoing a sentiment of national unity. He commended the soldiers for their performance in both aerial and ground combat, while also acknowledging the public's role in dismantling what he described as the Indian narrative propagated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS.

This praise is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of accusations by Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), that their electoral mandate was stolen in the last election through collusion between elements within the military and the current ruling parties. Despite these allegations, Khan chose to highlight the army's response during the conflict, emphasizing the need for national unity in the face of external threats.

The conflict between India and Pakistan arose after New Delhi claimed to have launched aerial strikes against alleged "terror infrastructure" sites in Pakistan, supposedly linked to the April 22 massacres of tourists in Pahalgam, part of the disputed Kashmir territory. Islamabad has vehemently denied these allegations, refuting any connection between the Pahalgam attackers and Pakistan-based terrorist groups, and demanding evidence to support India's claims.

Khan also accused the Indian Prime Minister of targeting innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, and civilian infrastructure within Pakistan. "Our forces responded with strength and precision," Khan stated, expressing solidarity with the families of both civilian and military personnel who lost their lives in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, has experienced a surge in public support following the conflict. A recent Gallup Pakistan poll indicated that 93% of respondents held a more favorable view of the military after the clashes. This increase in popularity has solidified the military's position within the country, with some analysts suggesting it has reinforced the military's dominance in the nuclear-armed nation. A grateful government has even given him a rare promotion to Field Marshal "in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy".

Even before the recent conflict, General Munir was perceived as more hawkish towards India compared to his predecessor, taking a less pragmatic and more ideological stance. According to Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, conflicts with India tend to remind Pakistanis of their country's fragility, leading them to rally around the army as a symbol of national security.

The army's media wing, ISPR, released a statement in which Munir expressed humility regarding his promotion, dedicating the honor to the entire nation, the armed forces, and especially the martyrs and veterans. He emphasized that the honor was not individual but for the armed forces and the entire nation.

However, some analysts have cautioned that Munir's promotion and the military's strengthened position could further consolidate the military's influence in Pakistan's politics, potentially undermining the country's already fragile democratic credentials.