Listen to the article
Pakistan PM Draws Scrutiny Over Alleged Meeting Interruption at Turkmenistan Forum
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif became the center of controversy after a now-deleted social media post claimed he had “gatecrashed” a closed-door meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The initial report from RT India alleged that Sharif had waited approximately 40 minutes to meet with President Putin before entering an ongoing meeting between the Russian and Turkish leaders. According to the post, Sharif reportedly remained for about 10 minutes before departing without securing a separate meeting with Putin.
“PM Sharif waited for over 40 minutes for President Putin before growing tired and gate-crashing the Russian leader’s meeting with Erdogan. He left ten minutes later,” RT India had stated in its original post on X, formerly Twitter.
The claim quickly sparked ridicule across social media platforms, with critics questioning Sharif’s diplomatic protocol and labeling the alleged incident as an “international embarrassment” for Pakistan. The timing was particularly sensitive as Islamabad has been working to strengthen its diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow in recent years.
However, RT India later removed the post and issued a clarification, stating: “We deleted an earlier post about Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif waiting to meet Vladimir Putin at the Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan. The post may have been a misrepresentation of the events.”
Further complicating the narrative, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Putin and Erdogan had continued their discussions privately after their respective delegation members had left the room. Notably, the Russian media outlet made no reference to any interruption or unexpected appearance by the Pakistani leader.
For his part, Prime Minister Sharif made no mention of any incident with Putin in his public communications. Instead, he highlighted his scheduled meeting with President Erdogan, posting on X: “Met my dear brother, President @RTErdogan, on the sidelines of the International Forum on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. It is always a pleasure to exchange views with a time-tested and trusted friend of Pakistan.”
Sharif elaborated that he and Erdogan had reaffirmed the “deep, historic bonds between Pakistan and Turkiye” while discussing bilateral cooperation in several key areas including “trade, energy, defense, connectivity, and investment.” He added that they also addressed regional and global issues, with particular focus on the situations in Gaza and Afghanistan.
The International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat has brought together numerous world leaders for diplomatic discussions amid ongoing regional tensions. Pakistan’s relationship with Russia has taken on increased significance in recent years as the South Asian nation seeks to diversify its international partnerships beyond its traditional allies.
Diplomatic protocol at international forums is closely observed, with carefully orchestrated schedules and strict adherence to meeting etiquette. Unscheduled interruptions or deviations from protocol can be interpreted as diplomatic missteps, potentially affecting bilateral relations.
The conflicting accounts of what transpired in Ashgabat highlight the challenges of diplomatic reporting in the social media age, where unverified claims can rapidly spread and potentially damage international relationships before facts are fully established.
As neither the Russian nor Pakistani governments have issued official statements directly addressing the alleged incident, questions remain about what actually occurred during the high-level meetings in Turkmenistan.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
16 Comments
The alleged incident seems to be a significant breach of diplomatic norms, if the reports are accurate. Pakistan’s PM should have waited patiently or requested a separate meeting, rather than interrupting a private discussion between Putin and Erdogan. This could prove to be an embarrassing misstep.
I agree, proper diplomatic etiquette is essential, especially when dealing with high-profile leaders. If the PM did in fact interrupt a closed-door meeting, it could damage Pakistan’s international reputation and its ability to effectively engage with key global players.
This alleged incident raises questions about Pakistan’s diplomatic approach and its understanding of international protocol. While the specifics are still unclear, the reports of the PM interrupting a private Putin-Erdogan meeting, if true, suggest a concerning lack of discretion and respect for other leaders’ time. Careful management of the situation will be crucial for Pakistan.
Absolutely, diplomatic decorum is paramount, especially when dealing with high-level leaders. If the PM’s actions were as reported, it was a significant breach of protocol that could have lasting consequences for Pakistan’s international standing and relationships. Addressing this matter thoughtfully will be important for the country’s leadership.
This is an unusual and potentially troubling diplomatic incident. While the specifics remain unclear, the reports of Pakistan’s PM interrupting a private Putin-Erdogan meeting raise questions about the country’s approach to international relations. Careful handling of the situation will be crucial.
You’re right, the details here are still murky. However, if the allegations are true, the PM’s actions could be seen as a serious breach of protocol that could have broader implications for Pakistan’s standing on the global stage. Maintaining composure and addressing the matter appropriately will be key.
The reports of Pakistan’s PM interrupting a private meeting between Putin and Erdogan are concerning, if accurate. Diplomacy requires patience, discretion, and respect for protocol. Even if the PM was eager to speak with Putin, barging into a closed-door discussion was likely a misstep that could damage Pakistan’s international reputation.
I agree, maintaining decorum and following established diplomatic norms is critical, especially when dealing with high-profile leaders. If the PM did indeed interrupt the Putin-Erdogan meeting, it was a risky move that could have serious repercussions for Pakistan’s global standing and relationships.
It’s concerning if the reports of the PM interrupting a private meeting are accurate. Diplomacy requires patience and discretion, especially when dealing with high-profile leaders. I hope this incident was exaggerated or taken out of context.
Agreed, diplomacy is a delicate dance. If the PM did indeed barge into a closed-door meeting, that was likely a major breach of protocol that could have negative consequences for Pakistan.
This sounds like an awkward diplomatic incident. Pakistan’s PM should have followed proper protocol and etiquette when requesting a meeting with Putin. Interrupting a private discussion was not the right approach, even if he was eager to speak with the Russian leader.
I agree, protocol and respect for other leaders’ time is important in diplomacy. The PM’s actions, if true, seem to have been a misstep that could damage Pakistan’s international standing.
This is an intriguing development in regional geopolitics. While the specifics are still unclear, the reports of Pakistan’s PM interrupting a private Putin-Erdogan meeting raise questions about diplomatic protocol and the delicate balance of power in the region.
You make a good point. This incident, if true, could have broader implications for Pakistan’s relationships with Russia and Turkey, as well as its standing in the region. Careful management of the fallout will be crucial for the country’s leadership.
I’m curious to hear more verified details about this alleged incident. Interrupting a private meeting between world leaders is a serious diplomatic faux pas, if true. It will be interesting to see how Pakistan responds and whether the reports are accurate.
Absolutely, more context is needed here. Rushing into a confidential discussion between Putin and Erdogan, if confirmed, was a risky move that could damage Pakistan’s international credibility. The country’s leadership should address this matter carefully.