The moment came as journalist Absa Komal pressed the general for the military's serious allegations against jailed former PM Imran Khan. Komal questioned claims over and over that Khan is a "national security threat," "anti-state," and working "at the hands of Delhi."(Image Source: X.com/@AJWMRH)
Recently, a video showing Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), winking at a woman journalist in the middle of a press conference has thrown him into the center of a massive online controversy.
The clip, after going viral, has drawn widespread criticism on the internet as unprofessional and inconsiderate.
The moment came as journalist Absa Komal pressed the general for the military's serious allegations against jailed former PM Imran Khan. Komal questioned claims over and over that Khan is a "national security threat," "anti-state," and working "at the hands of Delhi."
Chaudhry further added to the list of accusations a dismissive fourth one against the former premier, quipping, "And add a fourth point: he is also a 'zehni mareez.'" He then smiled and gave a quick wink toward the journalist before moving on.
The reaction on social media was fast and merciless. Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, widely condemned the act as a "collapse of decorum"; it was unprofessional for a high-ranking officer in uniform to make such a gesture in public while discussing serious political matters.
The moment became instantly symbolic for critics who see it as evidence of the military's unease with direct questioning and a perceived mocking of both the journalist and a political rival.
The incident occurred in the heat of a briefing where Lieutenant General Chaudhry was escalating the military's assault on Imran Khan. During that same event, he characterized Khan as a "narcissist" and accused him of deliberately crafting an "anti-army" narrative that jeopardizes Pakistan's security.
This tirade was in reaction to Khan's posts on social media in which he had heavily criticized the Army Chief, General Asim Munir, labeling him a “mentally unstable person.”
The wink, therefore, has gone viral not as some sort of isolated happening but as a highly scrutinized event within the deeply polarized and sensitive political environment that characterizes Pakistan.
Visuals of the press conference, where this controversial remark with a hand gesture by the general took place, are attached in this YouTube video.
Also Read: Park Si-hoo Makes Big-Screen Comeback After 10 Years, Addresses Influencer Scandal
Ahmed Shareef Chaudhry is a three-star general in the Pakistan Army. He is currently serving as the 22nd Director General of ISPR since 6 December 2022.
He belongs to the Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Chaudhry is the son of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, a nuclear scientist and Islamic scholar. Chaudhry was named after his grandfather, Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif.
Chaudhry is from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering corps and previously served as Director General of the Defense Science and Technology Organization, taking over in December 2022 and replacing Babar Iftikhar.
