Warner needed just 125 balls on Thursday to bring up his 26th Test ton, with the knock putting Australia in a position of strength in the series opener.
The 37-year-old has already announced he will retire at the conclusion of the three-Test series, which also takes in clashes in Melbourne and Sydney.
But given Warner had only posted one Test century since January 2020 heading into the series, there were huge question marks about whether his form warranted him holding his spot until his hoped-for finale against Pakistan at the SCG.
Warner put those doubts to bed on Thursday, cracking 14 fours and one six on his way to triple figures.
The opener was emotional upon bringing up triple figures, first unleashing his trademark leap in the air, then blowing a kiss towards the media area before raising his hands and spinning 360 degrees to acknowledge the crowd.
Australia was cruising at 2-190 when Warner brought up the milestone, with Usman Khawaja (41) the only batter to fall by that stage.
Khawaja and Warner entered the match battling a wave of controversy for very different reasons.
David Warner on the way to his quickfire century against Pakistan in the first Test. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)
Warner's position in the Test side became a subject of public debate following an explosive column from former pace ace Mitchell Johnson.
Johnson declared Warner didn't deserve a hero's farewell given his poor recent form and involvement in the 2018 sandpapergate scandal.
But Warner fired back in perfect fashion, taking just 41 balls to reach his half-century before powering on to reach his ton.
Khawaja hit the headlines this week for inscribing "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" on his cricket shoes in response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
His hopes of wearing the shoes for the Test were scuppered by International Cricket Council rules, but Khawaja - who donned a black armband at Optus Stadium - hit back with a heartfelt explanation of his stance.
Pat Cummins had no hesitation in choosing to bat after winning the toss for Australia's first Test since retaining the Ashes in July, but Pakistan had the home side on edge early.
Usman Khawaja (left) and David Warner enjoyed a productive first session at Perth's Optus Stadium. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)
The tourists' premier bowler Shaheen Afridi came out firing, catching the edge of both openers during his first two overs.
But after four overs, Afridi had T20-style figures of 0-31 as a mixture of bad luck and Warner's attacking style left him shipping runs.
Warner cracked three fours off one Faheem Ashraf over to bring up his half-century.
Khawaja's innings looked over when he top-edged one high into the sky when he was on 21.
But Abdullah Shafique, running back with the flight, had the sun in his eyes and was left embarrassed as the ball went through his hands and rebounded off his chest for a boundary.
Khawaja's knock was ended after lunch when he edged a fuller Afridi delivery behind.
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