In what many are citing as evidence of strained relationship between the United States of America and Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Prime Minister of Pakistan, was put through security check in a US airport.
However, a Pakistani media reported that Abbasi voluntarily followed security procedure at New York’s JFK airport as he was on a personal visit.
The Pakistan Prime Minister is known for “adhering to simplicity in his personal life” and he “chose” to follow the normal security procedures that are in place for all passengers, reported Geo News.
However, Abbasi has been slammed by Pakistani citizens for humiliating his country by not making use of his diplomatic powers.
“He should be ashamed for saying he went on a private visit. He is the prime minister… he has a diplomatic passport …there is no such thing as a private visit. He is representing the country… there are certain protocols when you are representing 22 crore people,” a Pakistani citizen was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“A nation whose leaders continuously debase themselves in front of foreigners is not a nation... it’s a circus. Pak PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is put through humiliating security check at a US airport. He was in US for a “personal visit”. What’s that?” a message on Twitter read.
Abbasi, who was in the US last week to meet his ailing sister, also met US Vice-President Mike Pence during his short visit.
The incident comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is considering putting in place tough measures on Pakistan for allegedly providing safe havens to terrorist groups.
At the beginning of this year Trump said US was suspending security aid it was providing to Pakistan for its supposed inaction in removing terror threats.
"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools," Trump had said in a tweet.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since then.
Kulsuma Aktergetty images