What happened: The fiasco started after PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday posted a screenshot on the Twitter of an article by The Washington Post titled “Trump’s defeat is a blow for the world’s demagogues and dictators” with a caption “We have one in Pakistan too. He will be shown the way out soon .
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
The US embassy’s Twitter account shared the tweet which quickly sparked outrage. Many government officials, including a federal minister and the Sindh governor, called for an apology from the embassy and told them to respect diplomatic norms.
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
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
. @SecPompeo your staff in @usembislamabad thinks that President @realDonaldTrump is a Dictator? This is how US Embassies under you will behave for next 2 and half months?#ApologiseUSembassy pic.twitter.com/fvAHDnpadz
— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) November 11, 2020
What now: The US Embassy did issue an apology this morning and acknowledge their mistake
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