A Pakistani minister found himself in a diplomatic hot seat after a tense live interview with CNN went viral on Friday evening. The minister, who was being questioned about India’s recent cross-border strikes under “Operation Sindoor,” appeared to dodge key questions regarding Pakistan’s alleged support for terror networks, triggering both ridicule and criticism online.
The incident unfolded during CNN’s prime-time global broadcast when anchor Becky Anderson directly confronted Pakistan’s Information Minister, Dr. Fawad Qureshi, over Islamabad’s muted response to India’s precision airstrikes across the Line of Control. The strikes, launched in retaliation to a spate of drone attacks on Indian army installations in Jammu and Punjab, have heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
In the now-viral clip, Anderson asked, “Can Pakistan confirm whether it is harboring militants responsible for recent attacks on Indian soil?” Visibly rattled, Qureshi paused, looked sideways, and responded, “I… I’m sorry, I can’t hear you properly. There seems to be a technical issue.”
Anderson, known for her no-nonsense style, didn’t relent. “You heard me the first time,” she countered sharply. “The world is watching. Pakistan’s credibility is on the line.”
The awkward silence that followed lasted nearly eight seconds, after which Qureshi again claimed audio problems and asked for the question to be repeated.
The clip drew immediate attention on social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #PakistanExposed, #OperationSindoor, and #BeckyAnderson trended across India and parts of the West. Indian netizens hailed the interview as a diplomatic victory, with one user posting, “CNN did what global diplomacy has failed to do — put Pakistan on the spot in front of the world.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to officially comment on the interview, but senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Singh called it “a defining moment in global media accountability.” “The world is finally asking the right questions,” he added.
Meanwhile, health and safety concerns remain high in northern India following the strikes, with the Ministry of Home Affairs issuing alerts in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. According to government sources, over 1,200 civilians have been moved to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
In tech news, India’s cybersecurity agencies reported a surge in attempted digital intrusions originating from IPs traced back to Pakistan. The CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) confirmed that over 500 phishing attempts targeting government domains were blocked in the last 48 hours. “It’s a digital battlefield now,” said cybersecurity expert Ankit Tiwari. “Nation-state actors are clearly trying to destabilize systems during geopolitical tensions.”
On the entertainment front, the tension hasn’t dampened the spirit of Indian cinema. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s latest film Thudarum has broken box-office records in Kerala, grossing over ₹120 crore in its opening week. Industry insiders suggest the film’s themes of resilience and patriotism may have resonated more strongly in the current climate.
As South Asia braces for the possibility of more escalations, the CNN interview has become a flashpoint in the growing narrative war. Whether Pakistan’s government will provide a clearer stance in the coming days remains uncertain — but what is clear is that the world is paying close attention.
