Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's effusive tribute to U.S. President Donald Trump at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt has ignited a fierce online backlash, with critics accusing him of undermining national pride through overt adulation during a high-level diplomatic assembly focused on Middle East stability.
The summit, attended by over 20 global leaders including Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aimed to cement the Gaza ceasefire, advance hostage releases, and plan postwar reconstruction. In an unexpected turn, Trump called Sharif to speak, where the Pakistani leader devoted his five-minute address to lauding Trump as a "man of peace" who prevented escalation in South Asia and the Middle East. Sharif credited Trump with halting the India-Pakistan conflict in May, warning that without intervention, it "could've escalated to a level where no one would have lived to tell what happened." He reiterated Pakistan's prior Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Trump and vowed another for the Gaza accord, hailing it as "one of the greatest days in contemporary history" that preserved millions of lives.
Trump responded with evident delight, smiling and exclaiming, "Wow! I didn't expect that," while noting the importance of alliances in fostering regional calm. The moment, broadcast live, swiftly viralized, spawning memes and sharp rebukes across social media platforms.
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Prominent voices condemned Sharif's remarks as embarrassing sycophancy. Pakistani historian Ammar Ali Jan described the flattery as needless and a global source of shame for citizens. Columnist SL Kanthan portrayed it as unparalleled geopolitical subservience, likening Sharif to a figure eager to please at any cost. Users echoed sentiments of national insult, with one declaring Sharif a disgrace to Pakistan's 240 million people, and another alleging that such puppets have bartered the country's sovereignty for financial gains.
The episode evoked comparisons to past diplomatic overtures, amplifying debates on dignity in international relations. Defenders viewed it as strategic diplomacy, potentially securing favors amid Pakistan's economic challenges, including IMF talks. Trump later referenced his rapport with Pakistan's military leadership, adding to perceptions of warming ties.
While the summit achieved milestones like formalizing the Israel-Hamas truce and outlining Gaza's governance framework, Sharif's intervention shifted focus to personal endorsements, overshadowing substantive issues. Absent major powers like India sent representatives, dismissing Trump's mediation claims in favor of direct bilateral resolutions.
As criticism mounts under trending hashtags, the incident highlights tensions in Pakistan's foreign policy, where economic necessities clash with public expectations of assertiveness. Opposition groups have seized on it to question government autonomy, labeling the display as subservient. For Trump, the praise bolsters his peacemaker image ahead of domestic priorities, while Sharif returns home facing domestic scrutiny over whether such tactics yield tangible benefits or merely erode credibility on the world stage. The Nobel Committee now contends with renewed nomination buzz, amid divided opinions on Trump's role in global conflicts.
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