\'Highest paid chauffeur\': Twitter mocks Imran Khan for \'personally driving\' Saudi Prince to PM House



'Highest paid chauffeur': Twitter mocks Imran Khan for 'personally driving' Saudi Prince to PM House

(Imran Khan drives a vehicle as he receives Saudi Crown Prince)

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (L) drives a vehicle as he receives Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his arrival at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Nur Khan Base in Rawalpindi, Pakistan February 17, 2019. , Reuters

Amidst efforts from India to push Pakistan to blacklist for funding terrorism at the Financial Action Task Force plenary, Islamabad left no stone unturned to showcase the world that it still has friends. Despite the risks of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Pakistan on Sunday at the start of his tour of South Asia and China. The Saudi Crown Prince was received by a high-level delegation including Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa among others. 

Saudi crown prince was awarded a grand welcome as he arrived in Islamabad. The government of PM Imran Khan had released an official video where Chinese-designed JF-17 and US-origin F-16 fighters of the Pakistan Air Force can be seen escorting the aircraft of Salman as it entered Pakistan airspace. Saudi Crown Prince's trip is being treated by Islamabad as the biggest state visit after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015. 

Pakistan PM Imran Khan, breaking the protocol, drove a Mercedes Benz carrying Saudi Crown Prince to the PM's house. However, speculations were that Saudi Crown Prince Salman's visit would be cancelled in the wake of the soaring tension between India and Pakistan after the brutal Pulwama attack. While Saudi Arabia has condemned the Pulwama attack, the visit was not called off. Furthermore, Salman is scheduled to visit India next.

Cash-strapped Pakistan is doing whatever it takes to please friends during their visit which is expected to sign investment agreements worth more than USD 10 billion. 

Nevertheless, social media strongly reacted to the Pakistani Prime Minister's move to personally drive the car to welcome the Crown Prince of Saudi. Twitteratis backlash was prompted after Prime Minister’s Office posted photos and videos of PM Imran Khan warmly receiving the visiting dignitary. A series of tweets were posted on the official PakPMO account. These posts instantly sparked a flurry of reaction on the Internet. The adverse response of users was triggered as the government in media hype had lately announced that they are converting the PM House into the Islamabad National University to promote higher education. However, the Saudi Crown Prince on his visit was taken to the PM house only. 

Here are a few reactions from Twitterati: