Speaking on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Chaudhry questioned the language used by Indian officers while addressing the media. “Who asked you to speak in English? Is it because you want to tell the world your version of events?” he said during his remarks.
The Indian briefing focused on the military and strategic outcomes of Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people.
Chaudhry's comments immediately sparked a wave of reactions on X and other social media platforms, where many users pointed out that English remains the principal language of communication within Pakistan's own military establishment.
Among the most prominent critics was Major Adil Farooq Raja (Retired), a former Pakistan Army officer who is now a journalist and a vocal critic of the country's military leadership. Responding to the ISPR chief's remarks, Raja said, “When you live in a glass house, do not throw stones at others.”
He accused Pakistan's military leadership of applying double standards and asserted that English is used extensively throughout the armed forces. “From the highest to the lowest level, all instructions in the Pakistan Army are issued in English,” Raja said.
Raja further alleged that while Urdu is frequently used for domestic messaging and public campaigns, Pakistan's international communications and narrative-building efforts continue to rely heavily on English. He also accused the military establishment of avoiding discussion about the scale of damage sustained during India's military strikes.
“Why don't you admit your losses? Why are you only telling us a one-sided story? Why don't you tell us stories from both sides so we know what's the true story,” Raja said.
The controversy intensified as Pakistani social media users joined in criticizing Chaudhry. One Reddit user wrote, “He really thinks we're just illiterate duffers and dumbasses who'll believe anything he says.”
Another user mocked the ISPR chief on X, stating, “After DG ISPR's biggest lies, the public has completely exposed him. The only thing left is to make him ride a donkey and parade him around.”
A separate comment reflected growing frustration among users, stating, “They just think that we are weak and can't do anything about their wrongdoings.”
The debate resurfaced amid fresh revelations concerning China's role during the conflict. Earlier in the day, a report in the South China Morning Post stated that Beijing provided on-site technical support to Islamabad during Operation Sindoor.
The confrontation between India and Pakistan followed the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. In response, New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The renewed controversy over language, military transparency, and foreign support has once again drawn attention to the narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor. What began as a question over the use of English has evolved into a broader debate over credibility, accountability, and the information strategies employed by Pakistan's military establishment.
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