AIMIM Leader Ridicules Pakistan’s Attempt to Pass Off Chinese Drill Photo as Victory
Kuwait City: During a fiery address to the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi lambasted Pakistan’s leadership for attempting to pass off a 2019 Chinese military drill photograph as evidence of a supposed victory over India. The scathing remarks came as part of India’s diplomatic outreach following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Pakistan’s Misleading Propaganda
Owaisi, part of an all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, highlighted a recent blunder where Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, presented Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with a framed photo during a high-profile dinner. The image, claimed to depict Pakistan’s “Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos,” was actually a 2019 Chinese military drill photo featuring a PHL-03 rocket launcher, originally captured by photographer Huang Hai. “These stupid jokers want to compete with India,” Owaisi quipped, adding, “Nakal karne ke liye akal chahiye, inke pass akal bhi nahi hai” (It takes brains to copy, and they don’t even have that).
Context of the Diplomatic Gaffe
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan’s attempt to portray the Chinese drill photo as a military triumph was quickly debunked by netizens via a Google Image Search, sparking widespread ridicule. Owaisi urged the audience not to take Pakistan’s claims seriously, stating, “Whatever Pakistan is saying, do not take it even with a pinch of salt.”
Call for Financial Scrutiny
Owaisi also raised concerns about Pakistan’s potential misuse of a $2 billion IMF loan, alleging it could fund military and terror activities. He advocated for Pakistan’s re-inclusion on the FATF grey list to ensure stricter financial oversight, citing its history of sponsoring terror groups through Middle East-based hawala and money laundering networks. “The $2 billion loan from the IMF will be used by the Pakistani military,” he warned, emphasizing the need for global scrutiny.
India’s Unified Stance
The AIMIM leader’s remarks, endorsed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, reflect India’s unified stance against Pakistan’s propaganda. The delegation, including MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla, is engaging with leaders in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Algeria to counter misinformation and highlight India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. Owaisi also criticized Pakistan’s misuse of a Quranic verse for naming its operation, calling it a hypocritical act by a “failed state.”
Broader Implications
Experts note that Pakistan’s propaganda misstep underscores its struggle to maintain credibility amid India’s growing global influence. The 2019 photo blunder is not an isolated incident; during the same conflict, Pakistan falsely claimed to have destroyed India’s S-400 air defense system, a claim debunked by Indian officials. The incident has further damaged Pakistan’s narrative, especially as India’s Operation Sindoor successfully neutralized key terror bases, including Jaish-e-Mohammad’s stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke.
