PM Nawaz likely to meet Donald Trump this week

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and United States President Donald Trump are likely to hold their first-ever meeting in Saudi Arabia

PM Sharif will arrive in Saudi Arabia on May 20 for the US-Arab-Islamic summit, to be participated by several leaders from across the world.

According to reports, a meeting between Sharif and Trump had been planned; but, a fixed date, time and agenda of the meeting were yet to be worked out.

In December last year, Trump made headlines in the Pakistani media after he reportedly held a telephonic conversation with PM Nawaz and called him a ‘terrific guy’.

According to PM House press statement, Trump said he would love to visit the fantastic country [Pakistan], in apparent volte face to his critical remarks against Pakistan in 2012 via tweet.

Here’s what else the PM House statement of Dec 1, 2016 read:

“I am looking forward to see you soon. As i am talking to you prime minister, i feel i am talking to a person i have known for long. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and i will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January that is before i assume my office.”

What followed next was mockery of the PM House and the incumbent government for making such a claim that was not verified or endorsed by the White House.

Read: Trump’s praise for PM Sharif puzzles foreign media

Some political quarters even raised questions over authenticity on content written in the PM House statement on reported conversation between Mr. Trump and the prime minister.

A number of Twitter users also took a jibe at use of words and overall language in the readout and described it as ‘amusing’.

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