This anomaly provides a unique advantage to Pakistani deep state. They are able to encash their nuisance value with all major powers be it the US, China or Russia —one at a time or simultaneously as is the case currently. This is due to naivety, myopic vision blinded by geopolitical outreach, sheer self-interest or for that matter utter connivance and the result is the same that they ignore the vicious credentials of a terror sponsoring state for short term gains thereby institutionalising the errant behaviour of the Pakistani deep state.
They obviously receive legitimacy and pat on the back when they are hosted and pampered by the leader of the most powerful country calling General Asim Munir ‘my favourite Field Marshal’. Pakistan being a rentier state succumbs and indulges in sycophancy with alacrity and why not!
Does this mean that people of Pakistan are in sync with the deep state? Hardly. Especially, when their relations and abject surrender and sucking up to the US, or even China for that matter, is concerned — India factor aside which in any case is often played to garner popular support. Even the Generals and Ministers often lament the fact that the US has used and thrown them at will. What else would you expect and some Pakistani intellectuals have also called out this predicament of Pakistani deep state.
The disdain and disgruntlement with army and deep state was most evident during the demolition of Imran Khan government as he began to challenge his masters and refused to be the HMV (His Masters Voice). His fate and deposition were a given the moment he fell foul with his Akas. Ironically, he was brought in by the army as well. He also called out the ‘infamous telegram ‘from Washington DC challenging yet another master maneuverer which exposed and cracked open the real systemic fault lines of Islamabad politico-civilian architecture. During the protests and demonstrations, the official house of the commanding officer was attacked and several injured. As expected, army prevailed but not unchallenged anymore.
Pakistan is a complex country where militarism, feudalism and religious fanaticism still thrive even though there are many sane voices and groups. As Pakistan presents itself as the Islamic leader with ‘Islamic Bomb’ at its command to navigate relations with the Muslim world and beyond, the domestic Shia and Sunni divide places some limitations on that. This was clearly evident during the recent attacks on Iran by US and Israel decapitating the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamanei when the sympathies of large number of Pakistanis lay with Iran.
Death to America and Israel rang loudly among the angry crowds leading to death of over 20 Pakistanis. The most violent clashes erupted near the US Consulate in Karachi and around Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave, prompting sweeping security crackdowns, bans on public gatherings, and the formation of investigation teams. But that has not prevented General Munir from enjoying the temporary bliss showered by Trump.
Earlier, Opposition tended to be driven more by disagreement with the US foreign policy than by opposition to American people or culture. Major factors include the war in Afghanistan, US drone strikes in Pakistan, the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, and US support for Israel.
According to a Pew Research Center study in 2012, only about 12% of Pakistanis had a favourable view of the US, while roughly 74% had an unfavourable view. At the time, Pakistan ranked among the world’s most anti-American countries in Pew’s global survey. Following the Bin Laden raid, 85% of Pakistanis disapproved of US leadership, while only 10% approved. 64% said the raid made them view the US more negatively. The 2012 protests over the anti-Islam film — Innocence of Muslims, Pakistan saw nationwide anti-US demonstrations. The government even declared a national holiday (“Day of Love for the Prophet”) to facilitate protests. Several people were killed in clashes and attacks on Western-linked businesses occurred.
In recent times, anti-US sentiment has increased amid the Gaza conflict because of US support for Israel. In 2025, police arrested more than 170 people after attacks on US-based fast-food chain KFC outlets during protests and boycott campaigns. Religious leaders generally endorsed peaceful boycotts while condemning violence. Most people believe that US interferes in their internal affairs.
But this also does not mean that all young Pakistanis are against Americans. This varies. It’s also worth noting that public opinion is not uniform. Pakistani views of the US that differ by age, education, region, and political affiliation, and attitudes toward US policies do not necessarily translate into negative views of individual Americans or American culture per se.
This is a perennial contradiction which can accentuate as the public opinion swings and polarises depending on the US policies perceived against Pakistan and the Islamic world. This is a challenge the politico-military leadership navigates rather delicately to avoid the boiling point even through there is no guarantee for its success.
—The author, Anil Trigunayat is a former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta. The views are personal.
(Edited by : Unnikrishnan)
