Reaction of Allama Tahir Ashrafi in the manner in which the Foreign Minister sat in front of the Saudi Ambassador
The Saudi ambassador is highly respected at the official public level, Shah Mehmood Qureshi has a back problem which is why he is often seen sitting like this. Statement by Tahir Ashrafi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had found it costly to sit informally in a meeting with the Saudi ambassador.
Shah Mehmood's style was criticized on social media, but now we have Prime Minister Imran Khan's Special Assistant for Interfaith Affairs. Harmony and Middle East Tahir Ashrafi has come out with an explanatory statement in which he has tried to defend this move of the Foreign Minister.
Tahir Ashrafi said that the Saudi ambassador is highly respected at the official level. Shah Mehmood Qureshi has a back problem which is why he is often seen sitting like this. The style of sitting in formal meetings is different but Shah Mehmood Qureshi sits like this because of his back.
He added that the Saudi ambassador has been in Pakistan for the last seven years.
The whole world bears witness to the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Saudi citizens were outraged by the way they sat together. Shah Mehmood Qureshi's informal meeting with the Saudi ambassador has sparked a flurry of comments on social media.
Consumers say that turning the foot towards the guest is an insult to the guest, this style does not indicate respect.وزير الخارجية الباكستاني يستقبل السفير السعودي في باكستان بحفاوة منقطعة النظير😂 #فريق_مجاهدون pic.twitter.com/jPMoDtOXxt
— 💎.OSCAR.💎 (@BO__JG777) December 29, 2021
At the same time, Pakistani consumers also termed the style of sitting of the Foreign Minister as inappropriate. One user said that it is very rude to sit with one's feet towards the guest. No matter what position a person holds, he should be distinguished.مہمان کی طرف پاؤں کر کے بیٹھنا نہایت بدتہزیبی ہے ۔ انسان کو تمیز کرنی چاہیے چاہے کسی بھی عہدے پر ہو۔ https://t.co/UJfTAeMJOH
— Rao Zahid (Rao Jee) (@raoo512) December 29, 2021
One user said that Shah Sahib should learn how to sit in front of disciples and ambassadors. Foreign Ministry should train him in protocol.شاہ صاحب کو مریدین اور سفیروں کے سامنے بیٹھنے کا طریقہ سیکھنا چاہیے وزرات خارجہ ان کو پروٹوکول کی تربیت دے یہ کوئی چوہدری پنچایت نہی کر رہا بلکہ جو ہر مشکل وقت پاکستان کی مدد کرتا ہے اس کے سفیر کی عزت و وقار کا خیال کرنا چاہیے کچھ تہزیب و تمیز سیکھنی چاہیے@SMQureshiPTI https://t.co/I8mZLJPahK
— عاطف راجپوت (@MatifIqbal5) December 29, 2021
Earlier in the meeting with the Chinese delegation, Shah Mehmood Qureshi's sitting style was also the focus of attention.