Agreed. In the near-term, focus should be laid on acquiring longer-ranged SOWs and, in turn, equipping the JF-17 with them (including the Ra'ad/Ra'ad II and H2/H4). In the long-run, I suspect the PAF will look at using drones to carry deep strike roles, especially in high-risk environments.
What's interesting is that both the Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-20 were followed by stealthy attack drone programs. If the PAF is investing so much in a high-end FGFA, it can re-use a lot of the same technology (engine, composites, flight control system, electronics, etc) on an attack drone.
I think a reason why the PAF set the bar high with Project Azm is that it wants to create as much room as possible to do more with what it has. So, that's where the idea of an attack drone comes in, but also other possibilities. The current ASR for Project Azm is a twin engine fighter with supercruising. In theory, the PN can factor itself into the equation now and make a strong case for its own maritime fighter (heck, fund a carrierborne study if it wants).
Enduring through a drought is tough, but we do have asymmetrical options we can invest in lieu of new off-the-shelf fighters, e.g., an Iskander-like ballistic missile, longer ranged cruise missiles, upping the ASR specifications of future JF-17 blocks, and/or even add a HiMADS air defence element.