New Delhi: Amid rising India-Pakistan tension after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, dropped a flashy new “patriotic” song this week, complete with synth beats, drone shots, and hero montages. But the nation didn’t exactly rise in applause. Instead, it exploded in memes, mockery, and fun.
“Fouj na hui koi musical band hua new song release kr dia (As if it’s a musical band and not an army, to have released a new song)”, Alia Abbasi wrote on X.
The video begins with a clip from the army chief’s controversial speech right before the Pahalgam attack, which raised eyebrows across the subcontinent. The video begins with his words—Pakistan will always exist and remain etched in the annals of history.
However, instead of uniting the nation, it has opened the floodgates of public mockery. Pakistanis have had enough.
آئی ایس پی آر نے نیا گانا جاری کر دیا۔۔
پاکستان ہمیشہ زندہ باد۔۔ pic.twitter.com/KqtovdPUNI
— Waseem Abbasi (@Wabbasi007) April 26, 2025
“Pakistan Army doesn’t need a nuclear bomb when their Chief Asim Munir can drop an item song,” one YouTube user quipped. Another wrote, “You tremble before Modi and imprison your own people. Shame.”
Columnist Mohammad Taqi added a sharper jab.
“It is not difficult for India to defeat an army with atomic bombs and item numbers. It’s impossible,” he wrote on X.
Others were downright irritated. A YouTube user went into a long rant and concluded with a threat: “We are ashamed of you. The people of the country are shedding tears of blood. Look at the kind of life you lead. When I meet Allah, I will complain about you.”
“I am sure Pakistan will stay alive but will you let the people live? For God’s sake, spare us. Let us live,” wrote a disgruntled YouTube user.
Also read: ‘What about Zaid Hamid?’ asks Pakistani YouTuber banned in India
Anger behind memes
Some pointed to disturbing patterns, noting how ISPR often drops songs shortly after national tragedies.
“How is it that within days they compose a song? Right after a few days of the APS attack, they released a song, and now they have done another one. It seems like they preplanned all the events,” read a widely shared X post.
Then came Pakistan’s favourite weapon: the memes.
DJ ISPR response to India: https://t.co/28iPFf17yJ
— ˣ (@MrUnknwn_) April 26, 2025
“At least they used to release bangers earlier,” designer Ansah Niazi wrote.
“If India drops bombs, we will sing random songs—ISPR’s slogan,” X user Shamaila Tabassum added.
Beyond satire, the backlash held real anger. “Music and blessings don’t run countries. Justice does,” a YouTube user wrote.
“How is it that within days they compose a song? Right after a few days of the APS attack, they released a song, and now they have done another one. It seems like they preplanned all the events,” another added.
One X user summed up the mood of the nation.
“This is a strange country. When there is talk of war, citizens start making memes and army makes songs.”
Ajeeb milk hai yar. Jung ki baat hoti hai tau citizens memes banana shuru kar detay hain aur Army gaanay 😭 https://t.co/K8avClvk9E
— غفران خالد 🍁 (@maybe_ghuf) April 26, 2025
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)