2025 in Review: A Year of Indo-Pak Tensions, Viral Moments, and Cultural Milestones

What in the world was 2025? We know we say this every year, but 2025 truly was a rollercoaster, marked by near-war scenarios, Indian propaganda, and an explosion of memes that captured the public imagination.

This year, India dominated conversations in Pakistan—from their geographical confusion about Pakistani cities to the destruction of their own bakeries simply for having “Karachi” in their names. An Indian film claiming to explore Lyari’s underbelly and their cricket team’s victory over Pakistan further fueled discussions. The year produced memorable memes, cross-border celebrity confrontations, fashion critiques, and moments of national self-reflection.

Perhaps most surprisingly, “Dhurandhar,” a Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna film portraying Lyari’s underworld, became the highest-grossing Hindi film in India, amassing INR 6.9 billion at the box office in just 24 days. The controversial spy thriller featured several questionable scenes, including Singh crying while eating beef at a langar (prompting many Pakistanis to question who would serve beef at a langar) and Khanna playing the notorious Rehman Dakait. Sanjay Dutt also appeared as the late Pakistani police officer Chaudhry Aslam, adding to the film’s contentious nature.

The year’s most tense period came in May when military tensions between Pakistan and India escalated dramatically. In an unexpected twist, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed became an internet sensation during press conferences, with Pakistan’s youth expressing admiration using Gen Z vocabulary that left older generations puzzled by terms like “pookie” and “aura.”

When India’s media claimed attacks on the non-existent “Lahore port,” Pakistanis responded with a barrage of memes so potent they temporarily overshadowed fears of conflict. The online roasting became a cultural phenomenon, with even some Indians acknowledging the humor in the situation.

The entertainment industry was shaken in July by the tragic death of actor and model Humaira Asghar Ali, whose body was discovered in her Karachi apartment months after her passing. The shocking incident sparked important national conversations about community support and loneliness in Pakistani society, with members of the entertainment fraternity pledging mutual support for colleagues in isolation.

Cultural tensions manifested in unexpected ways when Indians vandalized Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad amid rising hostilities following the Pahalgam attack. Pakistanis responded with a peaceful counter-gesture, celebrating their love for Hyderabad’s Bombay Bakery and sharing fond memories of its famous Coffee Cake, emphasizing that “a name is, after all, just a name.”

Sports brought its own share of emotional turmoil, with Pakistan’s loss to India in the Champion’s Trophy breaking hearts nationwide. The momentary hope that transformed into rage as the game slipped away led to the familiar cycle of fans vowing never to watch cricket again—a promise that rarely holds.

More seriously, the weaponization of feminism in India’s “Operation Sindoor” revealed disturbing aspects of gender politics. From its name to imagery of women leading military operations, India positioned its offensive as a feminist triumph. However, when Himanshi Narwal, who was featured in propaganda after losing her husband in the Pahalgam attack, made appeals for peace, she faced vicious online harassment including slut-shaming and rape threats.

The May tensions reached a critical point when India attacked six sites in Pakistan, resulting in 31 casualties including women and children, according to ISPR reports. While many Pakistanis had expressed sympathy for Indian lives lost in Pahalgam, numerous Bollywood celebrities publicly celebrated the attacks on Pakistani civilians, prompting Pakistani stars like Hasan Raheem and Talha Anjum to condemn their callous disregard for human life.

Even amidst these serious developments, cultural events like the Met Gala 2025 drew significant Pakistani interest. The theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” was largely ignored by celebrities, with many opting for uninspired outfits, while BLACKPINK’s Lisa created controversy by wearing an outfit featuring Rosa Parks’ face on underwear.

As 2025 draws to a close, it leaves behind a complex legacy of heightened tensions, cultural exchanges, and viral moments that defined a tumultuous year in Pakistan’s relationship with its eastern neighbor.