Pak PM Sharif congratulates Trump on X through VPN, receives community note for using banned app

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulatory wishes to Donald Trump for his historic victory in the US Presidential elections on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Although, he received a community note on his post as the social media app is banned in his country.

"Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on his historic victory for a second term! I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-U.S. partnership," Sharif posted on X on November 6.
The community note flagged that he was using a VPN which was illegal in the country.

“PM Shehbaz Sharif has banned X (formerly Twitter), in Pakistan. He is using a VPN to access X, which is unlawful according to Pakistani law," the note read.

“Pakistani PM taken to cleaners by his audience," A user wrote sharing the community note screengrab.

Pakistani PM taken to cleaners by his audience. pic.twitter.com/i1Z5X7lELd
Levina (@LevinaNeythiri) November 6, 2024

Sharif used VPN as his own government had banned X in April in the country citing security reasons.  The shadow ban had initially come into effect in February, around the country’s general elections. According to several reports, the elections were marred by controversy, with allegations of vote manipulation and protests led by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

PM Sharif was the subject of heavy trolling as he posted on X to congratulate Trump without uplifting the ban on the platform.

Also Read | Pakistan blocks access to X: A list of countries where the social media platform is banned