By: Qamar Bashir
Macomb, Detroit, Michigan
The 9th May saga has finally come to an end—whether lawfully, unlawfully, or through the application of brute force. In its press release, the ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) made comprehensive claims, stating that the punishments, which ranged from seven to ten years to the perpetrators of 9th May, were based on concrete and irrefutable evidence painstakingly gathered by investigating agencies.
The ISPR attempted to substantiate its claims by releasing a heavily edited video, accompanied by dramatic music and special effects, as purported “irrefutable” evidence. However, the press release failed to acknowledge that the verdicts against civilians were issued under the Army Act, bypassing civilian legal processes. It also omitted critical details about the court proceedings, such as the collection of evidence, cross-examination of witnesses, evaluation of the prosecutor’s case, and forensic analysis of the video to verify its authenticity and eliminate suspicions of tampering. The lack of transparency and adherence to due process raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of these judgments.
The ISPR further claimed that the entire nation was deeply agonized by the alleged attacks on military installations. However, this assertion remains unsubstantiated. If such a sweeping claim is to be made, it should be backed by credible evidence, such as the results of a free and fair survey or the outcomes of the May 2024 elections, particularly the decimation of PTI during the electoral process. Without such supporting evidence, the ISPR’s claim to speak on behalf of the entire nation lacks credibility and oversteps its institutional boundaries.
The fact remains that the armed forces and their installations are funded by the hard-earned tax money of the people of Pakistan. It is reasonable to believe that no nation or political party, under any stretch of imagination, harbors ill will or animosity towards the armed forces, which are sustained by the nation’s taxpayers.
Instead of resorting to introspection, if the ISPR believed that punishing the political street operators—many of whom likely did not fully understand the gravity of their actions or the potential consequences—would rekindle the people’s love, affection, and respect for the armed forces, then it may need to reconsider its approach. It is important to recognize that many of these individuals may not have had the resources or the means to defend themselves adequately before the Field General Court Martial.
Moreover, the ISPR’s assumptions are contradicted by the public’s reaction to its own communications. After the ISPR posted the fabricated video on its official Twitter handle, I personally reviewed thousands of comments, hoping to find even a few supportive voices for the punishments. To my disappointment, less than 1% of the comments were favorable. This overwhelming public disapproval underscores the urgent need for introspection and a thoughtful re-evaluation of the current strategy.
The prevailing negative perception of the armed forces is troubling for all reasonable individuals, including politicians, members of parliament, thinkers, analysts, and citizens from all segments of society—mothers, sisters, brothers, elders, and youth alike. They understand that strong, committed, and focused armed forces are essential for the security and safety of the country and its people. These stakeholders genuinely wish for the image of the armed forces to be restored as quickly as possible.
However, frequent derogatory press conferences by the ISPR—labeling its own citizens as terrorists, perpetrator of violence, digital terrorists, or Khawarij, and urging Balochs to fight with the army instead of targeting innocents—are counterproductive. Statements insinuating that politicians and activists are rebels or traitors, coupled with the arrests of political figures, political or right activists do not serve to create respect for the armed forces, but instead exacerbate the existing distrust and hatred.
It is deeply painful for Pakistanis to witness an institution once cherished and respected by people across the country now seemingly at odds with various groups—Balochs, Pashtoons, politicians, businessmen, lawyers, judiciary, public representatives, social media influencers, overseas Pakistanis, and media professionals.
Unfortunately, the army attempts to address every perceived threat—whether intellectual, philosophical, or arising from media or social media—through the use of force reflects a flawed strategy. This force-driven approach, which fails to address the root causes, has proven ineffective in the past and will continue to fail in the future.
Interestingly, the armed forces have installed a controversial figure as Prime Minister, who frequently attributes anti-people actions by the government to the Chief of Army Staff. He has publicly admitted that the Army Chief orchestrated the installation of a minority government in Pakistan following the alleged manipulation of the 2024 elections. He also thanked the Army Chief for dispersing the PTI public meeting at D-Chowk on November 26th, during which a brutal operation by the Rangers reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous PTI activists, allegedly due to direct fire. The government conveniently shifts responsibility for all anti-people actions by the Interior Ministry to the army-appointed Interior Minister.
This deflection of blame by none other than the Prime Minister, coupled with the army’s direct confrontations with citizens across the country, has fundamentally transformed public perception of the armed forces. Once revered and respected, the armed forces are now increasingly viewed as adversaries and usurpers of people’s rights. This shift is deeply disturbing for Pakistanis who want to see their armed forces loved and respected. However, as the saying goes, love and respect must be mutual; one-sided admiration does not last long.
This is a critical point for the army leadership and the ISPR to consider. If they believe that propaganda videos, allegedly produced by unlawfully hired civilians, can restore the image of the armed forces, they are mistaken. The ISPR must recognize that genuine public relations require more than superficial attempts at image management. Building trust and goodwill demands meaningful actions that address the root causes of public dissatisfaction, rather than relying on ineffective and counterproductive propaganda.
Given this context, it is imperative for all relevant agencies and platforms—such as the National Assembly, Senate, think tanks, and the armed forces’ own research and analysis wings—to undertake comprehensive research studies, hold debates, and engage in consultations to address a fundamental question: why have the armed forces seemingly lost their place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan?
The answer to this question should have been used to understand the root causes of people-army disconnect which is crucial for rebuilding trust and strengthening the bond between the armed forces and the citizens they serve. Such a strategy, if effectively implemented, could have swiftly bridged the trust deficit between the armed forces and the people, reignited the lost love, and restored the honor and dignity of the institution.
By: Qamar Bashir
Press Secretary to the President (Rtd)
Former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC
