Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir Gifts Morphed Chinese Drill Photo

Quick Recap

At a high-profile celebratory dinner marking “Operation Bunyan‑un‑Marsoos” against India, Pakistan’s newly appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir gifted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a framed photo—claimed to show Pakistan’s attack. However, the image was from a 2019 Chinese military exercise, robbing the gesture of its credibility

What Really Happened

• External fact-checking revealed the photo depicted the Chinese PHL‑03 rocket launcher, used during PLA exercises circa 2017–2019
• The image circulated widely online, quickly traced through reverse image tools to Chinese military sources .

Social Media Backlash

Netizens in Pakistan and abroad called out the gaffe with viral memes and remarks:

Political & Strategic Criticism

Indian MPs, including Asaduddin Owaisi, branded Munir and Sharif “stupid jokers” (मुर्ख जोकर), criticizing the misinformation effort
The incident also intensified scrutiny over Munir’s elevation to Field Marshal shortly after the conflict with India—seen by critics as lacking in genuine military achievement

China Ties & Propaganda

Some analysts suggest using a Chinese image was a calculated move to acknowledge Pakistan’s close military alliance with China, even if it meant passing off foreign visuals to claim a domestic triumph