The Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently found himself at the center of an online controversy after using the platform X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Donald Trump on his re-election as U.S. President.
Despite his government having banned X within Pakistan, Sharif’s congratulatory post on the platform was quickly called out by users for its irony and perceived hypocrisy.
The Incident: Congratulating Trump on a Banned Platform
Shehbaz Sharif’s post on X congratulated Trump on his “historic victory” and expressed eagerness to work with the incoming administration. However, as X remains banned within Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s post garnered significant attention.
Within hours, X users had added a Community Note to his post, clarifying that Sharif’s government had banned X in Pakistan and that his access to the platform required a VPN, something that is technically unlawful under Pakistani regulations.
This note spurred widespread commentary and criticism, with many users accusing Shehbaz Sharif of hypocrisy. While Pakistanis within the country cannot access X freely, the Prime Minister’s use of VPN software to post on the platform appeared to conflict with his administration’s own policies.
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This incident underscored the irony of government officials using restricted platforms to reach a global audience, drawing attention to the divide between public policy and private practice.
Reactions from X Users: Accusations of Hypocrisy
Soon after the post appeared, X users quickly pointed out the perceived contradictions. Many users accused Shehbaz Sharif and his administration of “hypocrisy” for restricting public access to X while continuing to use the platform for official announcements.
One user sarcastically commented, “This joker using VPN to congratulate Trump… meanwhile, @elonmusk’s platform is banned in Pakistan!” Another post highlighted what it called “shameless hypocrisy,” accusing Shehbaz Sharif of “congratulating Trump via X after banning X for his own Pakistani nation.”
These reactions reflect a broader frustration among Pakistanis regarding government restrictions on digital freedom and the uneven enforcement of internet regulations.
In a country where VPN usage remains common among citizens to access restricted platforms, the incident highlighted the way in which government-imposed digital restrictions affect not only the public but also the officials who seek to bypass them.
The platform ban, aimed at limiting access to certain types of content, is frequently circumvented by citizens who rely on VPNs. The fact that the Prime Minister himself used similar means to access X for a congratulatory message underscored the perceived disconnect between the government’s actions and the restrictions imposed on ordinary citizens.
Many viewed the situation as an example of leaders operating under a different set of rules than the public, contributing to growing frustration over digital policies that some believe disproportionately impact freedom of expression.
Diplomatic Implications: Pakistan’s Position on U.S.-China Relations
In addition to the irony of the post, Shehbaz Sharif’s message of congratulations also carried diplomatic weight. Pakistan’s Foreign Office was quick to clarify that Trump’s re-election would not impact Islamabad’s relationship with China, a significant reassurance given China’s extensive economic investments in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that Pakistan’s ties with the U.S. were long-standing and that the government looked forward to strengthening these ties across various fields.
Despite the controversy surrounding the X post, Pakistan’s official response reflected a commitment to maintaining positive relationships with both the U.S. and China. Given the geopolitical complexities of South Asia, Pakistan’s position is often one of delicate balancing between these two powers.
The X incident inadvertently placed Shehbaz Sharif’s congratulatory message under greater scrutiny, highlighting the sensitivities involved in managing diplomatic relationships in a highly connected digital age.
This incident is indicative of the challenges modern leaders face in navigating the increasingly intertwined worlds of technology and diplomacy.
As Pakistan seeks to strengthen its partnership with the U.S., the use of a restricted platform like X to communicate with a global audience raises questions about the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of international relations.
Leaders today must carefully consider both the platforms they use and the implications of their messages, particularly when they involve politically charged issues.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏