The US diplomatic mission in Islamabad has apologised over what it called “unauthorised” endorsement from its account of a tweet critical of Prime Minister Imran Khan, but a senior cabinet minister dismissed it as too little too late and warned of “serious consequences”.
The row sparked off by sharing of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal’s tweet by the US Embassy in Islamabad on its verified Twitter handle triggered widespread outrage and soon “#ApologiseUSembassy” became the top trend on the popular microblogging site in Pakistan.
Hours after receiving frenzied drubbing on social media for the “brazen intervention” in Pakistan’s “internal politics”, the US Embassy apologised in an attempt to defuse the situation that might have spiraled into a diplomatic spat between the two countries.
The US Embassy sought to disown the retweet claiming its Twitter handle was “accessed without authorisation” to share Ahsan Iqbal’s post.
“Dear Followers: The US Embassy Islamabad Twitter account was accessed last night without authorisation,” it wrote on its official Twitter handle. “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,” it added.
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
The federal minister for human rights, Dr Shirin Mazari, however, refused to believe the US Embassy’s Twitter account had been hacked. She warned that the attempt to “push a particular political party's agenda” could have serious consequences, including scrutiny of staff visas.
“This not good enough especially after great delay! Account was clearly not hacked so someone who had access to it used it ‘without authorisation’,” Dr Mazari wrote on Twitter. “Unacceptable that someone working in the US Embassy pushing a particular political party’s agenda - has serious consequences including staff visas scrutiny,” she added.
This not good enough esp after great delay! Account was clearly not hacked so someone who had access to it used it "without authorisation". Unacceptable that someone working in US Embassy pushing a particular pol party's agenda - has serious consequences incl staff visas scrutiny https://t.co/IWqYtRjVna
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 11, 2020
Ahsan Iqbal shared a Washington Post article headlined “Trump’s defeat is a blow to the world’s demagogues and dictators” with his own comments: “We have one in Pakistan too. He will be shown way out soon. Insha Allah!”
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
In an earlier tweet, Dr Mazari strongly citicised the US Embassy for supporting disgraced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been convicted of corruption and sentenced to seven years in jail.
“The US Embassy is still working in Trumpian mode in support of convicted absconder & intervening brazenly in our internal politics! Monroe Doctrine also died centuries ago! The US Embassy must observe norms of diplomacy - so if [the tweet is] fake, then clarify through a tweet; if not, then apology tweet is needed,” she wrote.
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
Joining the chorus of criticism, Premier Imran Khan’s top political aide Dr Shahbaz Gill called the US Embassy’s retweet “unacceptable” and said it warranted punitive action against those responsible for “unauthorised access” of the account.
“Embarrassing. The US Embassy tweeting derogatory comments about sitting US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan,” he wrote on Twitter. “First time ever seen an embassy insulting its own lawfully elected president. We expect some heads must roll. This is unacceptable!”
Embarrassing .The US embassy tweeting derogatory comments about sitting US President Mr. Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan. First time ever seen an embassy insulting its own lawful elected president. We expect some heads must roll. This is unacceptable! https://t.co/LQxQ2UlYZ2
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) November 11, 2020
Sindh Governor Imran Ismael also denounced the US Embassy tweet as “utterly absurd” and demanded that the foreign ministry take “required action”.
“This is utterly absurd, how can you US Embassy Islamabad retweet against our Prime Minister Imran Khan containing derogatory remarks? This is against diplomatic protocols. An apology is needed with immediate clarification if fake or hacked. The Foreign Office must take required action,” he wrote in a tweet.
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
Dr Arslan Khalid, the premier's point person on digital media, echoed the sentiments while calling for an explanation. "USembislamabad should immediately explain what happened with their Twitter account last night as Pakistanis are not happy over their retweet which they undid later."
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
Meanwhile, Azhar Mashwani, who is the focal person on digital media for the Punjab chief minister, asked US Secretary of State Mark Pompeo to take notice of the incident.
. @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
Dr Awab Alvi, a prominent PTI supporter and son of the president, found the whole episode and the ensuing apology disingenuous while calling for the person responsible for it to be 'trout slapped'.
Hacked 😂 ... seems like a midnight party gone wild
— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) November 11, 2020
It's called allowing your Social Media operator to login using his phone while he continues to operate multiple accounts one of which works to undermine the Gov of Pak
Please do some serious #TroutSlaping #ApologiseUSembassy https://t.co/vFnDqw5k6v
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