Pakistan is apparently thinking of moving its Army General Headquarters (GHQ) from Chaklala, Rawalpindi, to Islamabad in response to Indian Air Force precision strikes on the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on May 10, 2025.
The attacks, which were part of a larger Indian military response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, severely damaged the Nur Khan Airbase, a vital military installation located next to the current GHQ and only 10 kilometers from Islamabad.
The scale of the damage was verified by satellite footage from India’s Kawa Space and China’s MIZAZVISION, which showed wreckage strewn close to the main runway, a collapsed warehouse roof, and broken gasoline trucks.
At least two military transport vehicles as well as critical infrastructure that supports Pakistan’s essential military assets, including C-130 transporters, IL-78 refueling planes, and SAAB-2000 Erieye surveillance planes (AWACS), were damaged. In addition to supporting drone operations, the Nur Khan facility lies near Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, which is in charge of the nation’s estimated 170+ nuclear warheads.
The attacks exposed weaknesses in Pakistan’s air defense, namely in the area around the capital in terms of radar coverage and electronic warfare capabilities. Intelligence sources called the Indian drones’ and missiles’ deep penetration inside Rawalpindi a “major shock,” which prompted Pakistan’s military leadership to have urgent talks on shifting command centers and distributing critical assets to lessen exposure.
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was relocated to a hardened bunker within GHQ in reaction to the attacks, and if the headquarters moves, there are rumors that the Army Chief’s home will follow.
The possible action is viewed as a symbolic and strategic reaction to Pakistan’s military command infrastructure being made public. To take advantage of natural geographic protection and improve security for senior military leadership, GHQ may be moved to Islamabad or possibly to more defendable areas like Balochistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Indian officials, however, have described the potential move as a sign of desperation, pointing out that it would take years and substantial financial resources to move command-and-control systems, which would be difficult for Pakistan’s already fragile economy.
Many people believe that the attack on Nur Khan Airbase changed Pakistan’s defensive strategy and marked a watershed in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
A review of security procedures and infrastructure has been prompted by the interruption of vital military connections and the revelation of weaknesses at the core of Pakistan’s defense system.
The intensity and urgency of the discussions indicate a turning point for Pakistan’s military strategy in the face of changing regional threats, even though no formal decision has been made.