Disagree,
The idea existed, but our issue was the main manufacturer we worked with. We were deliberately misled and in some cases held back when it came to us wanting to choose other than a particular nations equipment.
It would be exaggerating to call them hostile to the idea of other than their equipment, but they were less than the usual cooperative in that regard.
We have to stop linking the JF to a larger aircraft, and consider the actual needs for a strike fighter which the PAF lacks as such.