Maybe if the K-8 got a
more powerful engine, and was up-armored it could work as a CAS platform. The Payload will have to be more than 1000kg; perhaps at least 2000-2500 kg would be adequate enough to carry enough munitions to rival an attack helicopter like the AH-1Z and Apache.
The
Guizhou WP-13 a version of the
Tumansky R-13 maybe a suitable engine to upgrade to. At a max thrust of 43 kn, it has enough power to carry 2000-2500 kg of payload and allow the aircraft to be better armored.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumansky_R-13
The WP-13 is the engine used on the Soar Dragon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guizhou_Soar_Dragon
The Honeywell HTF7000 is also a good engine, and if the PAF K-8 stick to using honeywell enignes, this a modern engine that can also do the trick at a max thrust of 33kn; about double the thrust of the current engine. It is a smaller diameter but nearly double the length of the current engine on the K-8.
The change in engine and the need for better aircraft protection, as well as pilot protection will require modifications to the design, and building new aircraft either way.
....
Actually if you look at the stats of the old A-5, it could carry 2000 kg of payload, but needed 2 engines each generating nearly 30 kn of dry thrust.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanchang_Q-5
The JF-17's single engine has a dry thrust of nearly 50 kn.
An Attack Variant of the JF-17 maybe the most sensible option. we already have the factory to produce the jets, and commonality of all but some parts can make maintenance a piece of cake.
Using only the dry thrust part of the RD-93 or the WS-13, to save cost and space, a modern single engine attack variant maybe best for Pakistan.
A Pakistani Harrier