During an official visit to Pakistan, German Federal Minister for Cooperation Svenja Schulze encountered an unexpected situation at the venue of the Prime Minister’s meeting, prompting a wave of criticism and questions online about Pakistan’s hospitality towards foreign dignitaries. Several social media users claimed that Schulze was subjected to an unexpected security check during her visit.
When Schulze arrived to meet Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the ministers of economic affairs and commerce, she was reportedly stopped at the entrance by a security officer. The officer allegedly asked Schulze to hand over her bag before entering the building. However, Schulze refused to do so, politely thanked the officer and began walking back to her car.
Watch the viral video
The situation took an unusual turn when it was observed that neither Prime Minister Sharif nor any of his ministers were present at the gate to receive the German Minister. This absence added to the mounting tension as Schulze returned to his vehicle. Realising the potential diplomatic blunder, the security team quickly reconsidered their stance and allowed Schulze to enter the building with her bag. While the video is being shared online with the aforementioned claim, the same has not been independently verified by Zee News.
Islamabad: German Development Minister Schulze arrives for a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, his security guards demanding he hand over his bag.
Schulze turns around and walks back to the car.
Suddenly, the bag is allowed in.
image.twitter.com/LtADGMjrlu—Azat (@AzatAlsalim) August 21, 2024
The incident quickly gained attention online, with netizens expressing shock and dismay at the treatment meted out to a visiting foreign dignitary. Many criticised the lack of courtesy shown to Schulze, with some pointing out that if he had decided to leave, it could have affected Pakistan’s ongoing economic talks.
One user mocked the situation, saying, “If Schulze had returned, Pakistan’s begging bowl would have been empty.” Another commented on the power dynamic, stating, “They tried to make a show of strength and authority. She showed them that they are not relevant to her. If they didn’t play by her rules, they wouldn’t play at all. So they caved. Their power play backfired and they were humiliated.”
The incident has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between Germany and Pakistan, raising questions about the Pakistani authorities’ handling of foreign dignitaries.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.