Pakistan’s recent attempt to undermine Austrian military analyst Tom Cooper has intensified scrutiny on the country’s information strategy, especially following a series of reported Pakistan Air Force (PAF) losses. The controversy escalated after Pakistani commentator Ali K. Chishti accused Cooper of seeking $3,000 for interviews and asking for scripted questions—a claim Cooper immediately denied, reiterating his independence and transparency in military reporting. Despite efforts to discredit him, Cooper’s reputation among defense watchers has remained unshaken. Meanwhile, social media debates have been rife since August 15, 2025, with analysts and observers highlighting the PAF’s operational setbacks and the government’s attempts at narrative management. The incident, widely discussed in regional media over the past 48 hours, underscores an ongoing trend of targeted disinformation against independent researchers following unfavorable reports. Ultimately, the episode has drawn renewed attention to factual reporting and the risks faced by military analysts operating amid hostile information environments, further challenging Pakistan’s efforts to control the narrative around its defense affairs.