How is the Pakistan Army very loved and respected in Pakistani society?

There are two big reasons for this:

Historically regions that makeup map of Pakistan was invaded countless times from East and West. Punjab & Sindh were left at the mercy of western powers former suffered more due to being the gateway to Gangetic plains. This region has always been contested territory between Bharat & Persians. Powers from the western side mostly Persians/Central Asians/Khorasanis dominated mainland Pakistan and few surges from the eastern side which didn’t last long. Western powers managed to rule it more than eastern namely Achaemenid, Greeks, Kushans, Sassanids, Rashidun, Safavids, Afghan dynasties etc. Territory switched hands nearly every few decades so the military was always present and fighting sometimes as expansionists, defenders or at times punishing supposed traitors. Inhabitants of mainland fought against invaders then later joined them hence nearly every invasion across Indus river had soldiers from this region. Punjab & Sindh were agrarian regions divided into tribes (Biradaris) hence seeing all-composite army fascinated them. Inhabitants mentally accepted military-might at the same time fearing it. The journey started with Indo-Aryans, escalated by Alexander, pushed forwarded by Mauryan/Kushans, nurtured by great Khorasanis (my favourite), devastated by Mongols/Timur, reshaped by Mughals/Ranjith carried forward by British and Pakistan.

Result: Admiration & obedience of the military became part of our DNA.‪

British Indian army had the highest share of Punjabis/Pastoons despite region coming into hands of British nearly 100 years after the conquest of mainland Bharat. British Raj took over the policy of western front from Ranjith Singh establishing Rawalpindi as headquarters for an overly large military and intelligence with respect to population. Fear of Soviet expansion was always present in British policymakers and great campaigns of Ahmed Shah Abdali Baba were still afresh so the military was given free hand to safeguard frontiers of Raj. This region was never considered more than a buffer zone with no political activism compared to the rest of British India. All you had was Punjabi landlords, Pashtoon tribes, Baloch Sardars and Sindhi waders so army made itself home pretty quickly. Inhabitants who always considered themselves 2nd tier citizens accepted new suited booted masters with crisp uniforms. Majority of Punjabis who were under the influence of feudal ended up joining military hence much deeper penetration into hearts. For them, this was Godsend and an honour.

Presently, Pakistan army is probably the only functioning institution in the whole country upholding discipline and meritocracy. I don’t believe its all 100% pure but rest of institutions are grossly corrupt and inadequately funded so army ends up as shining beacon. Even their corruption is unchallenged after all “None shall raise their voice against the might of boots”.

Another reason army is loved among masses is what you can describe mildly as propaganda through TV shows, celebrations of defence day and nearly every pop star singing songs for khakis. It is a deliberate meticulously crafted charade to befool masses who end up hating their own chosen leaders not generals who live in gated communities where 99% of the population have no access nor they mingle even post-retirement. Civilians end up seeing their leader hanged, shamed and humiliated in jails while generals find homes in luxury apartments of Gulf or even an island in Australia.

Last popular leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged by a military dictator and no one came out on the roads because of two big reasons. First people were scared of military and second Bhutto lost touch with masses hence failed to improve the lives of his supporters. People not coming on streets left a bad precedent giving this false sense of popularity to General Zia Ul Haq that he is indeed loved by people which he wasn’t.

Pakistan army has a bigger influence on Pakistanis than government or at least it is made to appear that way. I hope this love and respect stays but some portion should be left for our civilian leaders. At present, Military has no big role in the present world unless its defending strategic interests beyond borders or defending a territory from a mad aggressor which is rarely the case. Bigger powers make sure status quo remains and don’t allow aggression so we really don’t have any serious threat from east or west if we mind our own business.

I won’t go into that army helps in floods and provides remedies in crises because if you take a big chunk of budget w.r.t GDP-defence ratio then it becomes your job. (Pakistan spends 4% of GDP on defence while 19% of total annual budget 2018 excluding pensions etc)

All Pakistan has is debt and military :)

If you meddle in civilian affairs and come barging into parliaments throwing elected people into prisons then that the least you can do for people. Having said that this really creates goodwill among masses when they see military helping them and shout Pakistan Fauj Zindabad.