The Islamabad Massacre of November 25, 2024, has shattered the long-held perception of the Pakistan Army as the nation’s guardian.
THE PAKISTAN ARMY has long been glorified by the Pakistani people as the only institution capable of holding the nation together and as a defender of Pakistan, with its soldiers making immense sacrifices. This perception is reminiscent of the reverence the Russian people once had for the Tsar, whom they regarded as a paternal figure caring for their welfare.
However, this perception of the Tsar changed dramatically on Sunday, 22nd January 1905 (known as Bloody Sunday), when Russian troops, under the Tsar’s orders, fired upon an unarmed crowd of protesters presenting certain demands. Over a thousand people were killed.
Bloody Sunday, 1905 The Massacre in Russia, an illustration of the event.
This event shattered the myth of the Tsar being a benevolent “father” to his people. Instead, it cemented the belief that he was willing to kill his own citizens to safeguard his throne.
Similarly, the myth of the Pakistan Army as a protector and benefactor of the Pakistani people has been irrevocably dispelled following the events in Islamabad on 25th November 2024.
The Islamabad Massacre and its Aftermath
On that day, Pakistani army troops fired upon unarmed protesters gathered at D-Chowk, Islamabad, following the call of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in Adiala Jail since August 2023.
An undisclosed number of people were killed, as the bodies were reportedly removed by soldiers. This incident is now referred to as the Islamabad Massacre.
The massacre has intensified public anger and highlighted the Pakistan Army’s increasing use of repressive tactics to maintain control. Videos and reports emerging from the scene show chaotic moments of protesters fleeing amidst gunfire, further fuelling outrage and resentment among the Pakistani populace.
An Institution of Exploitation and Suppression
Beyond this specific incident, the Pakistan Army has a long history of dominating the nation’s political and economic structures.
Reports and analyses often describe it as a “state within a state,” controlling vast business empires and siphoning resources for its own benefit while neglecting the basic needs of the people.
The massacre at D-Chowk unmasked the army’s true nature, not as a guardian of the nation but as an institution willing to turn its guns on its own citizens when its authority is challenged.
A Nation on the Brink
Pakistan now appears to be at a tipping point. The stage seems set for a potential guerrilla war by the Pakistani people against their army, as the two are increasingly on a collision course. The incident has emboldened opposition voices and sparked discussions on whether meaningful reform—or even the dismantling of the army’s stranglehold—is possible.
The Islamabad Massacre marks a critical juncture in Pakistan’s history, shattering long-held myths about the army’s role as a protector. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these events, the future relationship between the people and the military seems destined for further conflict. 
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Markandey Katju
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
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