Pakistanis turn to memes while India rages over Pahalgam attack

The scenic beauty of Pahalgam turned into a nightmare this week as a terror attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, pushing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan to a boiling point. Indian authorities squarely placed the blame on Islamabad, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism and identifying the perpetrators as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba — a group based in Pakistan and designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.

Funniest part of it is Indians threatening to nuke Lahore coz they think it's an important city for Pakistanis. Meanwhile Pakistanis are like https://t.co/Hz22oIyLdY pic.twitter.com/i2IFiTkBSz

— غفران خالد (@maybe_ghuf) April 23, 2025

Pakistanis coping mechanism amid the war threats? Well, its memes

The aftermath of the attack has been intense. New Delhi has responded with harsh diplomatic moves, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing pact between the two nations.

people of karachi, faisalabad, multan, islamabad, we are sorry. https://t.co/AdaQmFGPiK pic.twitter.com/aAUsKbxT6l

— catastrophe (@jigarish) April 24, 2025

But even as political and military stakes rise, another battle has been unfolding — this time online.

Pakistanis and their self depreciating humour

While Indian users took to social media platforms to express rage and demand accountability, Pakistani netizens responded in a way that has both confused and intrigued many — with a wave of memes, self-deprecating humour, and satirical jabs. It was not about making light of the tragedy, but more a collective coping mechanism laced with fear, frustration, and a familiar sense of absurdity.

These Pak people are roasting themselves on a different level 😭 pic.twitter.com/ckAA4F2So1

— Phunsuk Wangdu (@Phunsukwangduji) April 25, 2025

Screenshots of panicked yet darkly comic posts by Pakistani users went viral. One Indian user shared a post from a Pakistani account that grimly predicted, “India is going to bomb us,” while another jokingly advised fellow citizens to leave their phones in India if they plan to attack Karachi.

Another Pakistani user noted how their community had mastered the art of finding humour in the bleakest of times. They claimed that Pakistanis have become experts at turning trauma into jokes — a survival tactic, not insensitivity.

Jung karni ho to 9 baje se pehle karlena 9:15 per gas chali jati hai hamari

— akrama (@AkramaMianoor) April 24, 2025

Memes mocking the threat of India cutting off water under the Indus Waters Treaty filled timelines. Some exaggerated Pakistanis preparing for war using street-style kung fu, while others poked fun at energy shortages, joking that battles should be wrapped up before gas cuts off at 9:15 AM.

please bhaizaan 😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/hbLUnLbtob

— Faizan (@faizannriaz) April 24, 2025

Despite the laughs, the undercurrent remains serious. The humour is laced with anxiety, sarcasm, and a sense of helplessness — a reminder that while the internet may be joking, the fear is very real.