Can Imran Khan reclaim space after Pakistan Army’s war triumph over India?

The recent war scare between Pakistan and India brought the two nuclear-armed neighbors to the edge of catastrophe. After days of airstrikes and missile exchanges, a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended the hostilities. But in Pakistan, the military has clearly come out on top—not just on the battlefield, but also politically.

Pakistan claimed significant damage to India’s forces, including the downing of at least five Indian jets, at least one of which was a Rafale, and the destruction of key military assets like the S-400 air defense system and BrahMos missile depots. India has contested these claims but has not released full details.

These military achievements have elevated Pakistan’s army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, to national hero status.

“I think the state is now stronger… All political parties, including PTI, have lost the game,” said senior political analyst Nusrat Javed, speaking to Nukta. “The army is front and center since India enforced war on Pakistan.”

Before the conflict, Pakistan’s military had been under pressure. The jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had fueled growing anti-establishment sentiment, drawing huge support from the youth and urban middle class.

Khan, ousted from power and later jailed on multiple charges including misuse of authority during his tenure, had positioned himself as a bold critic of the military. That anti-army stance had gained traction in a country with a long history of military dominance, either direct or through controlled civilian rule.

But the outbreak of hostilities with India changed the political equation.

During the crisis, PTI appeared uncertain about its strategy. While its leaders expressed support for the army in public statements, they also continued holding rallies demanding the release of jailed party leaders, including Khan. Some PTI members are facing military trials over the May 9, 2023, attacks on military installations—acts allegedly carried out by PTI supporters following Khan’s brief arrest.

Despite backing a government resolution in parliament that praised the armed forces and condemned Indian aggression, the PTI skipped a military briefing to political leaders before the fighting began.

From jail, both Khan and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi issued statements supporting the military.

“I have always said, ‘Mulk bhi mera, Fauj bhi meri’ (this country is mine, and so is the army),” Khan posted on X. “Just as our soldiers defeated Modi on both aerial and ground fronts, the people of Pakistan—especially on social media—exposed and dismantled Modi and the RSS’s narrative at a global level.”

He added, “I pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all our military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance. Unlike Modi, who targets civilians and public infrastructure, our forces successfully hit only the aircraft and installations directly involved in the attacks.”

Qureshi echoed similar praise, saying, “The press conference jointly addressed by the representatives of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy on Friday 9th May was a moment of national pride. The calm, dignified and factual manner in which our armed forces communicated the reality to the nation and the world earned respect at a global level.”

Still, analysts believe the PTI’s support for the army comes too late to reverse the party’s marginalization.

“A military victory would likely strengthen the army’s control over politics,” said senior journalist Baqir Sajjad. “This would make it harder for civilian parties—including PTI, PML-N, and PPP—to act independently.”

He added that while the PTI might gain some short-term support by appealing to nationalist sentiments, a stronger army makes its political comeback more difficult, unless it rebuilds ties with the military.

“The PTI might briefly benefit by tapping into nationalistic feelings, especially since Imran Khan has often taken a tough stance on India. This could help the PTI rally support, especially among younger and urban voters. But in the long run, a more powerful military would likely limit PTI’s comeback,” he said.

Political analyst Zaigham Khan shared a similar view. “The army’s public image has improved,” he told Nukta.

“In the tug-of-war between PTI and the military, the military has gained the upper hand. The space for PTI to pressure the military leadership has shrunk.”

He added: “The PML-N-led coalition government, backed by the military, has emerged stronger, at least temporarily. But tensions with India remain unresolved. If India launches another misadventure, internal unity will become crucial. That might lead to a rethink about the political deadlock with the PTI.”

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said PTI’s popularity may not suffer as much as it appears.

“I would argue that the relevance and popularity of Khan and PTI will remain intact,” he said. “Khan remains a remarkably popular figure. The longer he stays in jail, the more that popularity lingers.”

Kugelman noted the military has gained from the crisis. “The military projects itself as Pakistan’s ultimate protector in the face of an evergreen Indian threat. The recent conflict helped reinforce that image,” he said.

He added: “What happened smoothed over challenges the military had been facing—economic stress, a resurgence in terrorism, and anti-army sentiment. Public criticism, especially that driven by Khan’s confrontation, has likely been tamped down, at least for now.”

He said Khan’s statements supporting the army during the conflict were telling. “Khan essentially said at moments like this, we need to put our faith in the military. He didn’t name Asim Munir, but he did call on Pakistanis to rally around the armed forces. That’s significant,” Kugelman said.

But he warned that these gains may be short-lived. “If economic troubles continue or terrorism worsens, public frustration with the military could return,” he said.

For now, the military seems to be leading the national narrative. The PTI, despite being Pakistan’s most popular party, is struggling to adapt to a landscape where the armed forces have reasserted control - politically, militarily, and symbolically.