A year after the successful conduct of Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos on May 10, 2025, Pakistan occupies a significantly elevated position in the regional and global strategic environment.
This operation was launched in response to Indian military aggression, marked a defining moment in South Asian security dynamics and demonstrated Pakistan’s resolve, preparedness, and military professionalism. Against a conventionally larger adversary with far greater numerical strength and resources, Pakistan’s armed forces displayed strategic clarity, operational effectiveness, and national cohesion.For years, India attempted to project Pakistan as an increasingly irrelevant actor in regional politics while presenting China as its principal strategic competitor. This narrative sought to diminish Pakistan’s geopolitical and military significance. However, Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos fundamentally challenged that perception. Pakistan not only defended its sovereignty but also underscored its ability to deter aggression and preserve strategic balance in the region. The success of the operation enhanced the credibility and prestige of Pakistan’s armed forces at both regional and international levels.
In international politics, national power remains the principal determinant of a state’s status and influence. National power is not shaped by a single factor; rather, it emerges from the interaction of multiple tangible and intangible elements. Geography, population, economy, political stability, diplomacy, technology, and national institutions all contribute to the overall power potential of a state. Among these elements, military strength occupies a central and indispensable position. Whether a state is developed or developing, military capability remains essential for safeguarding sovereignty, protecting national interests, and ensuring strategic stability.Pakistan is uniquely endowed with a highly strategic geopolitical location. Situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, and the Arabian Sea, Pakistan serves as a geopolitical pivot connecting major regions of Asia. This location offers immense economic and strategic opportunities but simultaneously exposes the country to regional rivalries and external pressures. In such an environment, a strong and professional security apparatus becomes indispensable for maintaining national security and preserving geopolitical relevance.
Historically, Pakistan’s military has functioned as one of the strongest pillars of the state’s national power. Since independence, the armed forces have played a vital role in defending the country against conventional threats while also responding to evolving non-traditional security challenges. Over the decades, the military has confronted aggression, instability, terrorism, and hybrid warfare with resilience and professionalism.However, military power alone cannot sustain national security without the support of the people. The true strength of Pakistan’s armed forces lies in the enduring bond between the military and the nation. The people of Pakistan have traditionally regarded their armed forces with trust and respect because of their sacrifices and commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This unity between the military and the masses has remained a decisive factor in confronting both internal and external challenges. No external power can successfully undermine Pakistan while its armed forces remain strong, cohesive, and supported by the nation. History repeatedly demonstrates that attempts to destabilize Pakistan have failed due to the resilience of its people and the professionalism of its military institutions. Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos-Marka-e-Haq, has become a symbol of national resolve and defensive capability, adding a new chapter to Pakistan’s military history.Beyond conventional warfare, Pakistan’s armed forces have also played a defining role in combating terrorism over the past two decades. The war against terrorism imposed extraordinary challenges on the country, particularly in regions such as the former FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Terrorist networks, sectarian outfits, and sub-nationalist militant groups attempted to destabilize the state through violence and intimidation. These groups often received external support and exploited regional instability, particularly across the Pak-Afghan border.
In this context, Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos achieved significance beyond the battlefield. It reinforced national confidence, strengthened social cohesion, and renewed public faith in Pakistan’s defence capabilities. The operation also demonstrated that national unity remains the strongest response to external conspiracies and internal destabilization efforts.Nevertheless, Pakistan continues to face serious domestic and external challenges. These realities require greater public awareness regarding the nature of modern warfare and the methods employed by hostile actors to weaken states from within. National resilience depends not only on military capability but also on social harmony, political stability, economic progress, and institutional strength.
The leadership of Pakistan’s armed forces, under Field Marshal Asim Munir, received widespread recognition for leading the military during Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos. Today, the nation continues to stand beside its armed forces as they confront evolving security challenges at both domestic and international levels.Military strength, therefore, remains a critical component of Pakistan’s national power potential. In an increasingly uncertain regional and global environment, a strong, professional, and people-backed military will continue to serve as a guarantor of Pakistan’s sovereignty, stability, and strategic relevance. Indeed, there is an undeniable role of Military in the strategic rise of Pakistan at regional.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
