He praised him as a ‘man of peace’. Even called him ‘saviour of South Asia’. Also, nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. But, all these shenanigans by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not seem to cut much ice with Donald Trump as he appeared marginalised and sidelined during the US President’s first Gaza Board of Peace meeting on Thursday. Several videos have gone viral showing Sharif isolated and cutting a lonely figure at the event where Pakistan sought to project its so-called global relevance. However, only embarrassment was in store for Pakistan at the summit attended by 40 countries, with India joining in as an observer
In fact, Sharif’s Board of Peace outing was riddled with not only embarrassment, but gaffes as well. It started with a Foreign Ministry statement on Sharif’s US visit that was replete with typos. For example, the United States of America became ‘Unites States of Americas’. It not only became a subject of ridicule globally, but was mocked by Pakistanis themselves as well.
Before you can say “aise bade bade shehron mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain“, hold on your horses. Some users also brought up the “I condom (instead of condemn) the attack” gaffe by Sharif that he wrote while reacting to Israel’s airstrikes on Iran last year.
SIDELINED AT PHOTO OP
The 5.5 feet Pakistani PM was relegated to the sidelines (imagine the scene from 3 Idiots where Rancho’s friends were made to stand at the back row due to low marks). His discomfort was visible as Trump stood prominently at the front, flanked by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Qatar stood directly behind Trump.
In diplomacy, such minor optics matter, giving nations bragging rights about strategic relevance. Pakistan, which has been in overdrive to curry favour with the White House, seems to have lost that relevance. We will come to the reasons a bit later.
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