I feel that we have gone full circle. Some parts of this debate remind me of the JF17 saga in 2003/4/5/6/7/8. Questions were raised from across the border, belittling everything Pakistan is doing. Doubts and questions negated all sorts of success. But in the end, India does not have anything to field better than JFT blk3 today.
J31/FC31/JF31, whatever you called it will come in small batches for test and evaluation just like PAF got handful of F-7P in late 80s, then a follow-up of local production/import few years later. no mater what doubts are thrown out, no matter what questions are raised, these handful of J31 are coming and coming soon, counting months. Will PAF have a full squadron in 2026, i highly doubt but in 2028 it will be fully operational with a squadron strength. China is no USA, nor PAF is USAF to induct F35 in numbers in one go; even the USAF took a long time to test and evaluate the F35 before ordering in numbers.
So, my advice is to relax and enjoy the ride, and let the Bhindi neighbors go nuts; honestly, they do not have options except F35, and it will come with strings, lots of them. somehow I feel US is asking PAF to create this situation for IAF and India.
Nevertheless, PAF is finally getting upper hand on IAF. No matter how you see it.