United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Prime Minister House in Islamabad on Wednesday where Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and others were also present.
A fresh start for #Pakistan and #US relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan taking the lead.Confident body language from the PM,and smiles from US Secretary of State #MikePompeo. It marks an understanding of a relationship of mutual benefit and respect between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/HTmzV0z0KM
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 5, 2018
During the meeting, a reporter asked PM Khan if he was confident that he would be able to reset Pakistan’s relationship with the US. To which PM Khan replied, “I am a born optimist. A sportsman always is an optimist. He steps on the field and he thinks he’s going to win.”
Following the meeting, Twitter users started praising the way PM Khan carried himself throughout the meeting and appreciated his optimism in the face of difficulties. They also drew comparisons between PM Khan and former premiers Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Nawaz Sharif.
PM Imran Khan meets Secretary Pompeo. Friendly smiles, confident body language but above all, wearing his national dress with pride.
That’s how you present yourself as a Leader of a proud nation. ?? pic.twitter.com/zvL0sbzdL2
— Soraya Aziz (@SorayaAziz) September 5, 2018
Well done Dear PM @ImranKhanPTI , you give us the identity and dignity in Western World. Our previous political leadership was puppet of their God Fathers but now we are independent and dignified state
— Ghulam Hussain (@Hussain19852) September 5, 2018
Two things :
1- PM Imran Khans response “I’m a born optimistic”
2- #COAS Gen. Bajwa’s Smile showing confidence & Pride in PM reply.
This is #NayaPakistan??#PTIDoingWell#Pakistan#USApic.twitter.com/tCBggklPR4— Adnan Zaheer Khawaja (@Adnan_Zaheer) September 5, 2018
PM Imran Khan chairs meeting btw Pak & U.S counterparts
Excellllent Body Language by the PM ????????#PMImranKhan #COAS #GenBajwa #FMQureshi #USA #Trump #MikePompeo #Pompeo #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/3sicYkoQuX
— Faeza Dawood (@FaezaDawood) September 5, 2018
Some also commented on the civil-military relations in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
I’m impressed that PMIK held himself confidently.He chaired this meeting of Pakistani and US FMs and military leadership. It shows that Pakistan is moving into a new era where civil supremacy will be and where a bold PM & FM will make foreign policy in light of national interests
— Taimoor Waheed Aslam (@Kernl_Zero) September 5, 2018
Important optics: Here’s Pak’s PM, chairing a huddle with a visiting dignitary, and there’s the COAS, sitting further “down the street”, even after the FM. That’s protocol. That’s chain of command. And that’s the Army helping bridge the civ-mil gap & supporting the elected Govt. pic.twitter.com/vrn7Y6cmaX
— WSK (@WajSKhan) September 5, 2018
For all those who called Imran a Puppet Prime Minister, here’s a picture of the ‘Puppet Prime Minister’ chairing a meeting with the US Foreign Minister.
Meanwhile, the COAS was part of the PM’s team.
Hun Aram Aye? pic.twitter.com/X2TCxPZXP5
— Umar (@Umar_Khan10) September 5, 2018
Probably PM IK is right when he says that ‘Civil-Military Rift was a myth created by former govts’.
The absence of COAS & DG ISI in NS’s meeting w/ US Secretary State & the seating position of COAS in Khaqaan’s meeting.. then there is today’s meeting! Surely, new times ahead! pic.twitter.com/PQsqZRV0yY— Ubair Khan (@ubairkhaan) September 5, 2018