In an astounding and widely ridiculed declaration, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistani hackers interrupted stadium floodlights during an IPL 2025 game during heightened tensions with India. Speaking to Pakistan’s Parliament, Khawaja Asif proudly declared that Pakistan’s cyber warriors brought about the blackout during the May 8 IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.
He also strangely said that Indian dam waters were released by the same intruders. His statement comes after both nations agreed on a ceasefire following a near-war in May, necessitated by India’s Operation Sindoor.
Khawaja Asif Blames Cyber ‘Children’ for IPL Blackout
When making a speech on the floor of Parliament, Asif has stated, “The IPL was halted and lights at the stadium were switched off, water in the dams was released, all these cyber attacks were carried out by our kids.”
Pakistan Defence Minister: Our Cyber warriors did Wonder during this War with India – We Switched off FLOOD LIGHTS during IPL Match pic.twitter.com/k4eMe0uCMA
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) June 14, 2025
The blackout that he mentioned occurred on May 8, when an IPL match at the Dharamsala stadium needed to be suspended. Power failure and floodlight shutdown took place during high alert military operations, in the aftermath of India’s retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack via Operation Sindoor on May 6.
As a precautionary measure, the IPL match between PBKS and DC was rescheduled. But Asif attributed this incident to alleged Pakistani attempts at hacking.
Social Media Trolls the Allegation
Khawaja Asif’s allegations provoked a spontaneous torrent of mockery on social media. Numerous users termed the minister’s statements absurd and uninformed. One X user posted, “I didn’t know Cyber has different concepts and syllabus in Pakistan!”
Another user ridiculed, “IPL floodlights do not operate on WiFi, they operate on safe electrical systems. You cannot hack them like a home router.” Another joked, “Even China and the US are wondering – How did Pakistanis perform this magic?”
Claim Without Any Credibility
Experts and commentators soon ruled out the defence minister’s claims as technically impossible. Stadium lighting systems operate on secure, isolated circuits and are not on open networks.
In addition, Indian officials haven’t blamed any cyber breach for the May 8 blackout, but instead for emergency measures due to the conflict.
Rhetoric Takes Over for Reality
Khawaja Asif’s assertion seems to be more political theater than confirmed fact. His words attempt to embellish Pakistan’s cyber capabilities, but they have become a viral case of misinformation and misdirection instead.
While tensions remain regional, such stories can chip away at trust and divert attention from actual diplomatic and security challenges.
