LAHORE: The United States embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday apologised after coming under fire for retweeting a post critical of Prime Minister Imran Khan shared by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal.
“The US embassy Islamabad Twitter account was accessed last night without authorisation. The US embassy does not endorse the posting or retweeting of political messages. We apologise for any confusion that may have resulted from the unauthorised post,” the embassy said.
Dear Followers: The U.S. Embassy Islamabad Twitter account was accessed last night without authorization. The U.S. Embassy does not endorse the posting or retweeting of political messages. We apologize for any confusion that may have resulted from the unauthorized post.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) November 11, 2020
Iqbal on Tuesday shared on Twitter a screengrab of an article by The Washington Post titled “Trump’s defeat is a blow for the world’s demagogues and dictators”.
“We have one in Pakistan too. He will be shown the way out soon,” he wrote in his tweet, in an apparent reference to the prime minister.
We have one in Pakistan too. He will be shown way out soon. Insha Allah! pic.twitter.com/i1qOil7jvf
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) November 10, 2020
Screenshot courtesy: Imran Lalika/Twitter
Subsequently, the US embassy retweeted the original post, sparking an outrage. Officials and ministers were quick to call upon the embassy to respect diplomatic norms and issue an apology.
“US embassy still working in Trumpian mode in support of convicted absconder and intervening brazenly in our internal politics,” Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said.
US Embassy still working in Trumpian mode in support of convicted absconder & intervening brazenly in our internal politics! Monroe Doctrine also died centuries ago! US Embassy must observe norms of diplomacy – so if fake then clarify thru tweet; if not then apology tweet needed pic.twitter.com/YI66Ykqqli
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 11, 2020
“Monroe doctrine also died centuries ago! US embassy must observe norms of diplomacy — so if fake then clarify through a tweet; if not then apology tweet needed,” she added.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail urged the Foreign Office (FO) to take action against the embassy.
“This is utterly absurd, how can the US embassy retweet something containing derogatory remarks against our premier? This is against diplomatic protocols. An apology is needed with immediate clarification if fake or hacked,” he said.
This is utterly absurd, how can u @usembislamabad retweet against our PM @ImranKhanPTI containing derogatory remarks?This is against diplomatic protocols. An apology is needed with immediate clarification if fake or hacked. @ForeignOfficePk must take required action. pic.twitter.com/2BoVmrdVp8
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) November 11, 2020
Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Digital Media Dr Arsalan Khalid said strategic accounts are “very sensitive digital assets” and any mistake “should be rectified publicly”.
The strategic Twitter accs are very sensitive digital assets and any mistake from it should be rectified publically. @usembislamabad should immediately explain wht happened with their Twitter account last night as Pakistanis are not happy over their retweet which they undid later
— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) November 11, 2020
