New Delhi: So what if US President Joe Biden has still not called Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan? There are many other Western leaders who are calling him. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is making it a point to remind everybody about all the high profile calls — from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Dutch PM Mark Rutte, and UK PM Boris Johnson. This has now become the big joke in Pakistan.
These announcement posters of the Pakistani PM’s phone calls with different world leaders, on the Afghan-Taliban issue, have led to a meme fest across social media with many calling it a “desperate attempt”.
This comes after failed attempts by Pakistan NSA Moeed Yusuf to get one call from US President Joe Biden for his PM Imran Khan. However, after Yusuf’s interview with Financial Times, Khan had denied waiting for any phone call from Biden, stating “it’s his business, it’s not like I’m waiting for any phone call.”
“Prime Minister Imran Khan received a phone call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” reads one of the posters that also have a tiny “telephone” icon. Looks like someone is still keeping a list of who called and who didn’t.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI received a telephone call from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte today.
The latest situation in Afghanistan was discussed. The Dutch PM conveyed thanks for Pakistan’s support and facilitation for their evacuation endeavours. pic.twitter.com/cGRFX5fVLU
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 18, 2021
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI received a telephone call from British Prime Minister @BorisJohnson ?? today. pic.twitter.com/nOvnYq0VC6
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 17, 2021
“Totally unnecessary to post this. Heads of government do this often. Or should be doing this often,” Azam Jamil, a Twitter user said, on Khan’s poster with Merkel.
One user even called it “Pakistan’s gold medal”.
Equivalent to an Olympic gold medal for Pakistan ?? https://t.co/a7HsH8ouel
— Billi'Am Shakespeare (@Billiam_Shake) August 18, 2021
Another hit out at Khan, saying, “when you have nothing to show as your achievement and most of your promises backfired.”
Well when you have nothing to show as your achievement and most of your promises backfired https://t.co/AwsKZSZkrR
— بنگش (@bungash_06) August 18, 2021
“That’s the highest level of embarrassment by PTI social media. Shame on you,” said Hassan Saleem.
Thats the highest level of embarrassment by PTI social media
Shame on you @ImranKhanPTI https://t.co/JUqS1YyhU8
— Hassan Saleem (@hassan_saleem4) August 19, 2021
Some even asked Khan and the PTI to “calm down”, reminding that they are now overcompensating for not receiving the Biden phone call.
Okay dude. Calm down now. You guys are really over compensating for not receiving a Biden phone call https://t.co/VxUjPfNEoT
— خان (@chupkaryaar) August 19, 2021
“Ye Biden ko jalaanay ki koshish ker rahay hain? Sab mujh se baat kerna chahtay Hain bachu, I don’t care about you…except that I do Yaar”, said Z. Zulqarnain Sahi.
Ye Biden ko jalaanay ki koshish ker rahay hain? "Sab mujh se baat kerna chahtay Hain bachu, I don't care about you…except that I do Yaar" https://t.co/HQDsaRIkeD
— Z. Zulqarnain Sahi (@ZafarSahi) August 19, 2021
One Iftikhar Butt referred this poster diplomacy as “Naya Pakistan’s celebration”
In old Pakistan, getting a phone call from counterparts of other countries was an ordinary business.
In #NayaPakistan it is a celebration.
Everyday a new low is achieved by #PuppetPM_IK https://t.co/pLiJ1GuG5u
— Iftikhar Butt (@IIftikharButt) August 18, 2021
Another user Ali Rana, said, “I received a telephone call from the bank that I haven’t paid the car instalment.”
I received a telephone call from the bank that I haven't paid the car instalment https://t.co/jyhAbrflQY
— Ali Rana (@AliRanaAdvocate) August 18, 2021
“These illustrative tweets are making it look like Pakistan is desperate! These are normal communications between countries, not badges of honour,” Fifi Haroon, a London-based journalist said.
These illustrative tweets are making it look like Pakistan is desperate! These are normal communications between countries not badges of honour. https://t.co/zP8LMKIsXw
— Fifi Haroon (@fifiharoon) August 18, 2021