The PakStack — June 27/28

The only thing harder than introducing the Pakistan Army to a new idea is taking an old idea out of it…

Welcome to The PakStack, where what matters today in Pakistan, India and the rest of South Asia can be read and processed in five minutes or less.

Written by Shiza M. / Edited by Wajahat S. Khan

Today’s Stack Attack: An overconfident DG ISPR and all-powerful Field Marshal Munir talk big on the Constitution, unity, and integrity. All we see is a slow clap moment.

1. Comedy Central in General Headquarters — Army Reasserts Neutrality

• DG ISPR: “We are not a political party” – Army follows Constitution

• Totally rejects enforced disappearance claims; blames all that’s wrong with Balochistan on India

• COAS Munir urges civil service officers – wearing camo – to be more like him

Takeaway: The Pakistan Army’s on high. In a world where the Field Marshal is eating goat cheese gateau (Halal) and cutting mineral deals (Halal status unclear) with Donald Trump in a world where India’s been given a bloody nose, Imran Khan’s PTI has self-immolated, the media is effectively muzzled and the power and business elite have fallen in line, Asim Munir and his minions are flexing. The assertions from DG ISPR to the BBC and Field Marshal Asim Munir himself to civil service officers (donned in camouflage) reflects a casual overconfidence, and an overreach of military’s narrative: India’s behind everything; civilians are incompetent; and the Army abides by Constitution. By loudly insisting “we are not a political party” while rejecting well-documented concerns like enforced disappearances in Balochtan, and by conducting most business of the state and insisting that they answer to the government, the DG-ISPR’s blatant non-truths reflects a clear realization that the Army seems to have reached: It’s in charge, and it’s going to be for a very long time. Field Marshal Munir’s speeches on “integrity” and “professionalism,” especially before young civil servants, only add to the performance.

For critics like Imran Khan, the message is painfully familiar: don’t expect a rescue unless the system itself breaks down. But the public sees through the choreography. The question now isn’t if the army will re-engage with Khan & Co — it’s when, and in whose favor.

2. India’s Defense Minister Wants a "Permanent Solution” with China. But what about Pakistan?

• Delhi MOD Rajnath Singh addresses SCO Defence Ministers

• Urges China to pursue a “permanent solution” to the decades-long border dispute between India and China

• Emphasizes a formal roadmap, structured engagement, and rejuvenation of existing border-management mechanisms

• Calls for bridging the trust deficit stemming from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, stressing disengagement, de-escalation, and eventual border demarcation

• India’s “talk to China, fight with Pakistan” stance is questionable

• With Indian analysts like Force Magazine’s Pravin Sawhney calling Pakistan Army “Undefeated” and a“force that never loses in the West” the debate picks up on Indian social media

Takeaway: A rare moment of praise from across the border, Pravin Sawhney’s remarks bolster the Pakistan Army’s image as regionally resilient and strategically relevant at a time when the Indians seem to be adopting a fight-fight policy with Pakistan versus a talk-talk policy with its Iron Brother, China, as pushed by Rajnath Singh in China. This external validation for the Army may serve multiple functions for Pakistan’s narrative war, but may also trigger a much needed debate in India, where S. Jaishankar’s South Block has no real solutions about how to either engage or isolate Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The question is simple: if Pakistan wants to talk to India, and India can talk to its best friend, China, then why won’t India directly talk to Pakistan? Oh, because of support for terror? Right. In that case, did someone order some unrest in Balochistan?

3. U.S., Pakistan Align on Israel–Iran Ceasefire — Economic Signals Mixed at Home

• Secretary Rubio, PM Sharif talk for “durable peace” between Israel and Iran

• Rubio one liner: “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon”

• Pakistan’s position: Trying to jostle into a unique role as Iran’s interests representative in Washington to reinforce non-proliferation aims

Takeaway: Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance is rising again — not through loud positioning, but through quiet utility. The U.S. appears to be leaning on Islamabad’s rare access to Tehran to stabilize the Israel–Iran front and advance non-proliferation goals. This indirect channel places Pakistan at the heart of a critical geopolitical fault line, while still allowing it to maintain balanced regional ties. Domestically, the picture is more fragile. The World Bank’s renewed support gives Islamabad breathing room, but the rupee’s ongoing decline signals underlying structural stress. As Pakistan plays at mediator abroad, it faces the harder task of stabilizing its own economy at home.

4. Swat Flash Flood Kills 7 — Climate Vulnerability Exposed, Rescue Ops Underway

• 7 dead, several missing after family swept away in Swat River flood

• Sudden cloudburst causes deadly surge; civilians caught in rapid rise of water levels

• Local authorities and rescue teams mobilized; search operations continue for the missing

Takeaway: The Swat River tragedy — where seven lives were lost and several remain missing after a sudden flash flood — is not an isolated incident, but part of a dangerous and growing pattern. From the catastrophic 2022 monsoon floods that displaced millions to recurrent glacial lake outbursts in the north, Pakistan is on the front lines of climate change. This latest disaster once again exposes how unprepared the country remains. As extreme weather events intensify in both frequency and scale, the absence of robust early-warning systems, weak infrastructure, and inadequate local preparedness are costing lives. Rescue teams are now racing against time, but the broader message is sobering: without major, sustained investment in climate adaptation and disaster risk management, Pakistanis will continue to pay the price — in lives, homes, and livelihoods — every time the skies open.