PakistanIndiaOperation Sindoormilitarydiplomacy
Pakistani Military Spokesman Criticizes Indian Use of English, Faces Domestic and International Backlash
Published: May 9, 2026
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Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), questioned the use of English by Indian military officers during a briefing on Operation Sindoor, asking, "Who asked you to speak in English? Is it because you want to tell the world your version of events?" The comments were made during a press event marking the first anniversary of the Indian military operation, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian forces conducted Operation Sindoor against nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam attack. The operation intensified regional tensions, with reports from the South China Morning Post indicating China provided on-site technical support to Pakistan during the conflict. The Indian military briefing, delivered in English, detailed strategic outcomes and targeted strikes.
Chaudhry's remarks quickly drew criticism online, including from Major Adil Farooq Raja (Retd), a former Pakistan Army officer and journalist, who accused the military of double standards. "From the highest to the lowest level, all instructions in the Pakistan Army are issued in English," Raja said, adding that the military uses Urdu domestically while relying on English for international communication. He also challenged Pakistan's official narrative, demanding transparency about military losses.
Pakistani and Indian social media users mocked Chaudhry's comments, with many highlighting the irony of the criticism given Pakistan's institutional use of English. Some users accused the military of propagating false narratives and avoiding accountability. The backlash reflects growing public skepticism toward official messaging within Pakistan.
The ISPR has not issued a formal response to the criticism. The Indian military has not commented on Chaudhry's remarks. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.