A brief moment during a high-profile military press briefing has ignited widespread outrage online after Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), winked at a female journalist. The incident, captured on video and shared rapidly across social media, occurred amid discussions about imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, turning a routine update into a viral controversy.

The briefing took place in Rawalpindi, where journalist Absa Komal questioned Chaudhry on the army's repeated labeling of Khan as a "national security risk" and "anti-state actor." Responding sharply, the general called Khan a "mental patient" linked to external influences before flashing the wink and a smile, which many viewers interpreted as flirtatious and inappropriate. Social media erupted with criticism, branding the gesture as unprofessional and a breach of decorum from a senior officer.​

Netizens didn't hold back, flooding platforms like X with memes and sharp commentary. Phrases like "shameless" and "new low for the military" trended, underscoring frustrations over perceived casualness in official settings. Women in journalism highlighted the gesture as emblematic of challenges they face, drawing parallels to past incidents where public figures' off-script actions fueled debates on gender dynamics in conservative societies.​

This comes at a tense time for Pakistan's military-media relations, with Chaudhry often at the forefront defending the institution against Khan's supporters amid his prolonged detention. While the army has yet to comment officially, the episode risks amplifying scrutiny on its public conduct, especially as it navigates domestic politics and international perceptions.