It was a string of awkward moments and public embarrassment for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting hosted by Donald Trump this week, the latest faux pas being a viral video that shows Pakistan’s top leader offering a “guard-style salute" to the US President.
In a video clip that has gone viral on social media, Sharif appears to offer a clumsy salute to Trump in a moment that has sparked sharp reactions and ridicule online.
More embarrassment for Pakistan after PM Shahbaz Sharif caught doing 'gaurd salute' to President TrumpThis is how society gaurds salute 🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/0vPrEfkWrn
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce)February 20, 2026
The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
However, as the video gained traction online, social media users called out Sharif’s awkward behaviour at the meeting, questioning the power dynamics between two allies.
Shehbaz Sharif is a clown. Trump always make fun of him. The reason is trump knows who bring him into power.#paobc#1Companhiapic.twitter.com/qsDZS1D6lQ— IshtiaqAliMohmand (@Docdiamonddon00)February 20, 2026
Despite all praises and hugs, PM Shehbaz Sharif was pushed in the back row while President Trump was giving briefing.pic.twitter.com/TIvuiDpl2N— ѕнαfιq кнαи off 🇨🇦 (@saknscan)February 20, 2026
But this was not all. The optics of the meeting reinforced the sense of discomfort for Pakistan’s top leader. During the official group photo of world leaders, Sharif was positioned at the edge, while Trump stood at the centre flanked by key allies—a contrast that observers interpreted as a symbolic marginalisation of Islamabad’s role at the summit.
Another moment widely shared online occurred when Trump, mid-speech, gestured toward Sharif and asked him to stand up—a directive that led to further mockery on social media, with some users dubbing Sharif “Trump’s puppet".
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
