On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited a military cantonment in Sialkot, located in the Punjab province, in an attempt to boost the morale of his armed forces. However, instead of strengthening spirits, the visit attracted ridicule due to its poor presentation and the context in which it occurred.
Observers noted a deliberate effort to imitate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Adampur air base in Punjab. While Modi’s visit projected confidence and underscored India’s military strength, Shehbaz Sharif’s appearance starkly reflected the extent of damage Pakistan endured during India’s Operation Sindoor on May 10.
During the operation, Indian forces launched precision strikes on multiple Pakistani air bases. In the aftermath, Pakistan spread false claims of shooting down Indian jets, destroying air bases, and even capturing an Indian pilot. India firmly denied all those assertions, and Modi’s visit to the fully operational Adampur air base—with fighter jets and S-400 systems on display—offered visual proof to support India’s stance.
The contrast couldn’t have been starker. Modi arrived in a Hercules aircraft and addressed soldiers with powerful statements like, “ghar mein ghus ke maarenge,” clearly aimed at Pakistan. On the other hand, Shehbaz Sharif stood atop a tank in an open field far removed from any functional airstrip or visible defense assets. No photos of functioning runways or aircraft were released by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, reinforcing speculation that key airbases were severely damaged.
Social media users and international observers mocked Sharif’s visit, calling it a failed attempt to mirror Modi’s impactful gesture. The lack of strong visual or symbolic messaging added to the perception that Pakistan’s military had taken a substantial hit in the recent Indian strikes.
The symbolic power of PM Modi’s presence at Adampur, combined with India’s operational readiness and strategic messaging, emphasized India’s upper hand. Global media outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post reported that India secured a clear upper hand during Operation Sindoor, reinforcing New Delhi’s stance and revealing Pakistan’s defensive narrative as largely hollow.
