Pakistan's diplomatic standing has once again become a point of international discussion after an incident involving Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at an international summit in Turkmenistan. A video of the event, now widely circulated on social media, shows the Pakistani Prime Minister allegedly suffering a significant diplomatic snub by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to reports circulating online, PM Shehbaz Sharif was scheduled to meet with President Putin on the sidelines of the summit, but he was reportedly left waiting for an extended period—said to be approximately 40 minutes.
The Moment of Frustration
While PM Sharif was waiting, President Putin was allegedly engaged in a separate, scheduled meeting with the President of Turkey in an adjacent hall.
The viral video captures the moment the Pakistani Prime Minister's patience seemed to wear thin. After the long wait, the video shows a visibly restless PM Sharif suddenly entering the room where President Putin and the Turkish President were holding their meeting. After a few brief moments inside, the Prime Minister is then seen quickly exiting the hall.
International Scrutiny
This dramatic move—interrupting a high-level bilateral meeting—has been interpreted by many on social media and international observers as a sign of frustration over the delay, and an indication of the low priority afforded to the Pakistani delegation at the summit.
The video has been shared across social media platforms, leading to widespread discussion in Pakistan and abroad about the country's current diplomatic leverage and the perceived lack of respect shown by a key international ally like Russia. While the official reason for the delay remains undisclosed by the respective governments, the visual evidence of the abrupt entry and exit by PM Sharif has been sufficient to spark debate and provide fodder for critics who claim Pakistan's international image has taken a hit.
