As Pakistan attempts to position itself as a high-stakes mediator between the US and Iran, a significant lapse in digital protocol has turned into a diplomatic embarrassment. Veteran Pakistani journalist Absar Alam has identified a personal aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, nicknamed “Pehalwan” (the Wrestler), as the individual responsible for a widely mocked “draft” post on the PM’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The “Copy-Paste” Saga
The controversy began when a post was published from the Prime Minister’s official account regarding a sensitive ceasefire. Rather than a polished statement, the post included internal “draft” instructions and was clearly a direct copy-paste from a WhatsApp message.
The error exposed a startling lack of professionalism at a time when Islamabad is hosting delicate peace talks between Washington and Tehran.
Allegations of Incompetence and Patronage
In a video shared on social media, Absar Alam detailed the internal dynamics that led to the gaffe:
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Lack of Merit: Alam alleged that “Pehalwan” is “not-so-educated” and far less qualified than his predecessors. He suggested that the aide was given the responsibility not due to merit, but because he enjoys the protection of a high-ranking federal minister.
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The “Parrot” Connection: Alam referred to the aide as a “minister’s parrot,” suggesting a culture of ministerial patronage where loyalty is prioritized over professional competence.
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The Slap on the Wrist: Despite the global scale of the embarrassment, “Pehalwan” reportedly received only a mild reprimand. According to Alam, the Prime Minister simply instructed the aide “not to show his face” before him for a few days.
Diplomatic Stakes: Pakistan as a Broker
The blunder comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan’s foreign policy. Since the start of the conflict in February 2026, Islamabad has emerged as a surprising go-between for the US and Iran.
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Peace Talks: Negotiating teams are expected to return to Islamabad later this week for a second round of peace talks.
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High-Level Engagement: Last weekend’s meeting was the first senior-level direct engagement between the US and Iran in over a decade.
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Fragile Image: Critics argue that such amateurish digital errors undermine Pakistan’s credibility as a serious player on the world stage, especially while handling “unreal” geopolitical tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz and global energy security.
“A lot of times, people who are not very educated are very smart… but this person was not very dutiful when he copied and pasted the post as he received it.” — Absar Alam, Journalist
