Sharif uses banned platform X to congratulate Trump, post flagged
What's the story
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is banned in the country, to congratulate United States President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory. Since the platform is banned, a community note revealed that Sharif accessed X through a Virtual Private Network (VPN), an illegal act under Pakistani law. Pakistan suspended access to the social media site X around the time of the February elections, citing national security concerns.
Public response
Sharif's message and public reaction
In his post, Sharif said he looked forward to "strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-US partnership." Soon, many social media users pointed out the irony of using the banned platform. "If hypocrisy had a human face, it would be...Sharif," one user wrote. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has also weighed in on the matter. She called Pakistan and the US "old friends and partners," adding, "We look forward to further strengthening and broadening the Pakistan-US relationship in all fields."
Twitter Post
Sharif's post on X
Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on his historic victory for a second term! I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-U.S. partnership. @realDonaldTrump
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 6, 2024