Embarrassment for Islamabad: Pak army chief presents Chinese drill photo as ‘victory’ over India; trolled on social media
PTC Web Desk: In a fresh episode of military propaganda gone wrong, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir has sparked controversy after presenting a photograph—originally from a 2019 Chinese military exercise—as a souvenir to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, falsely attributing it to a Pakistani military operation against India.
The image in question shows a PHL-03 multiple rocket launcher, a Chinese-made system, and has been widely available online for years. It was captured by photographer Huang Hai and first circulated in 2019. Despite this, the image was showcased at a recent high-profile event in Pakistan, purportedly as a visual memento from the so-called Operation Bunyan al-Marsus.
The dinner event, hosted by General Munir to commemorate the "resilience" of Pakistan's armed forces and the nation's leadership, quickly became a target of widespread ridicule. The image was presented to Sharif as a symbol of Pakistan's "military success," a claim that did not withstand even a basic online reverse image search.
India, meanwhile, has released verified images and videos substantiating its military operations against Pakistan. These visuals include clear evidence of damage to Pakistani airbases during cross-border engagements, particularly highlighting the precision and effectiveness of India's military strategy during Operation Sindoor.
Social media users were swift to expose the blunder, noting the photograph’s Chinese origin and prior online circulation. "Pak PM just gifted Asim Munir a photo from a 2019 Chinese military drill—faking war glory against India," one user commented. Another quipped, "I don't think they know anything about Google Image Search."
The incident has once again brought Pakistan's information credibility into question. Critics have accused the country's leadership and military of engaging in systematic misinformation, with some suggesting that denial and deception have become key tools in Islamabad's narrative-building efforts.
Military analysts note that this attempt to pass off foreign military imagery as domestic achievement undermines Pakistan’s international standing and further erodes trust in its official communications.
- With inputs from agencies
