'Every master piece has its cheap copy!': After PM Modi’s Adampur tour, Shehbaz’s Sialkot trip triggers meme storm

A day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Punjab’s Adampur airbase to address Indian Air Force personnel following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to the Pasrur Cantonment in Sialkot. However, the intended show of military confidence backfired. Sharif’s appearance drew widespread mockery on social media, with users questioning both the setting and the substance of his speech.

Sharif, accompanied by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, stood atop a tank in what appeared to be an open field. The backdrop—lacking any visible radar installations or aircraft—prompted netizens to label the outing “Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos,” a name some saw as more theatrical than tactical.

“Shehbaz Sharif’s obsession with India is unreal. Modi visits a real airbase — Shehbaz rushes to a random farm like: ‘Look! No damage here!’ From PM to PR clown — Shehbaz is the only leader who treats national security like a TikTok trend,” one user posted.

“Victory” declared amid ruins

In a viral video clip from the visit, Sharif, flanked by senior military brass and a few tanks, claimed that Pakistan had “defeated India” and described the moment as payback for the 1971 war. The declaration, however, fuelled even more ridicule online.

“PM Shehbaz Sharif: ‘We have won the war.’ War khud hi announce karo, khud hi jeet jao, aur khud hi tali bhi baja lo — kya baat hai Pakistan!” a user mocked, translating to: "Announce the war yourself, declare yourself the winner, and clap for yourself — what a show, Pakistan!"







Others took aim at the apparent contrast in authenticity. While Modi was pictured shoulder-to-shoulder with IAF officers beside operational MiG-29s and S-400 systems, Sharif was seen alone in a dusty field, with no visible military infrastructure in sight.

“PM Shehbaz Sharif: ‘We have won the war.’ Meanwhile, even their GPS can't find the airstrip,” one commenter wrote.

The Pakistani PMO’s official photos further drew criticism. Images were heavily filtered and focused solely on Sharif with troops, carefully avoiding any background that might reveal the true state of the damaged facilities.

Operation Sindoor

India’s Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. According to reports, the Indian Air Force conducted precision strikes on Pakistani military assets, including the destruction of the Pasrur Air Defence Radar, in retaliation for cross-border drone and missile assaults.

International media such as The New York Times and The Washington Post acknowledged India’s military edge during this exchange. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s official channels attempted to counter the narrative with their own version of success, which failed to gain traction.

India, for its part, has denied any strikes on nuclear facilities following unverified claims of radiation leaks near Kirana Hills.

“Picture of Shehbaz Sharif from Kirana Hills,” one user wrote sarcastically, referencing the rumoured incident.

Modi’s lead, Sharif’s echo

PM Modi’s surprise visit to Adampur was widely seen as a morale-boosting move. Arriving in a Hercules aircraft, he addressed air force personnel directly on an operational base, underscoring India’s strategic confidence. He declared, “Ghar mein ghus ke maarenge,” affirming India's resolve to carry out precision attacks when provoked.

In contrast, Sharif’s tone and style seemed mimicked.

This isn’t the first time Sharif has been accused of copying Modi. In the past, he appointed ISI chief General Asim Malik as Pakistan’s National Security Adviser shortly after India restructured its own National Security Advisory Board with a former RAW chief. Sharif’s speeches post-terror attacks have similarly mirrored Modi’s assertive messaging—albeit with less impact and no visible military reinforcement.

“Shehbaz Sharif trying to copy Modi is like a school kid copying homework but forgetting the main question,” one meme read.

Internet reacts: From mockery to meme warfare

Across social media platforms, the backlash was swift and relentless. Edited videos from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Welcome were used to parody Sharif’s speech. Users dubbed him the “PR Minister,” while others joked about the lack of military credibility in his visit.

“Udit Bhai feat,” wrote one user, pairing Sharif’s video with a meme from Welcome.
“Modi to Shehbaz Sharif,” another commented under a Gangs of Wasseypur clip showing a character laughing uncontrollably.

The mockery was not limited to visuals. Commentary also questioned Pakistan’s decision-making, resources, and overall strategy.

“They will do everything India does, even if they don’t have the resources,” a user concluded.

From global headlines to local hashtags, the contrast between Modi’s assertive leadership and Sharif’s theatrical optics is stark. What was intended as a show of strength ended up, for many, as a lesson in miscalculated mimicry.