Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been facing a social media backlash for a "disrespectful" encounter with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Saturday night.
In video uploaded to Twitter, the Pakistani leader could be seen walking across a red carpet to meet the Saudi monarch in the run-up to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Mecca.
Imran Khan spoke to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, walked out & left the interpreter to translate 4 the King. Saudi govt has protested at highest level, told IK’s behaviour was disgusting & broke protocol rules. Meeting with the King & his Cabinet cancelled pic.twitter.com/npy1TlZz4c
— Mr. Kinuthia Pius. (@Belive_Kinuthia) June 3, 2019
However, when he was face to face with King Salman, Khan spoke directly to the king's translator rather than the king himself, pointing and gesticulating before abruptly walking away without giving Salman a chance to respond.
Weird — Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan spoke to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, walked out as the interpreter was translating his comments to the King. Finger gestures. With no goodbyes. pic.twitter.com/T06GysluQl the Saudis have apparently protested the behavior
— Hassan Hassan (@hxhassan) June 2, 2019
Social media users reacted with derision and fury, calling Khan's performance "beyond insulting" and suggesting that future prime ministers be taught "diplomatic manners".
This is beyond insulting. PM Imran Khan enters, says something to King Salman, walks out casually before the interpreter translates and the King responds.
— Naila Inayat नायला इनायत (@nailainayat) June 1, 2019
I'd suggest the "selection committee" to teach diplomatic manners when they select PM of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/ACIJpFzZeF
Twitter users' comments that Salman cancelled a meeting with Khan in response seemed without basis, however, as Khan met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before addressing the summit.
Can’t make sense of Pakistan’s PM walking out on King Salman at #OICMakkahSummit. Imran Khan has become a star of the summit after his viral speech. But “disrespecting” the head of a state that’s just signed $20 investment deals with you is bad diplomacy.pic.twitter.com/LwRRQVhZV4
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) June 3, 2019
In his address, Khan urged Muslims to do more to combat Islamophobia and blasphemy and to explain to the West why they feel pain when the Prophet Muhammad is insulted.
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