Following Croatia's independence, Pazinka entered one of the three regional divisions of the newly formed 2. HNL second-level competition in the shortened 1992 season and finished first, gaining promotion to the national top level for the first time in their history for the 1992–93 season. They finished 11th out of 16 clubs, level on points with five other clubs. There was no relegation that season due to the ongoing war. The following year the league was expanded to 18 clubs, with Pazinka finishing 15th in the 1993–94 season, inside the relegation zone.
