Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to US President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory, despite Pakistan’s ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where Sharif made his post. The Prime Minister’s message, shared via a VPN, emphasized his desire to work with the incoming administration to strengthen Pakistan-US ties.

"I look forward to collaborating closely with the new administration to deepen and expand the Pakistan-US relationship," Sharif wrote.

This move drew criticism, with some pointing out the contradiction between Sharif’s use of X and the ongoing ban in Pakistan. One social media user commented, "If hypocrisy had a face, it would be Shehbaz Sharif," while another reminded Elon Musk, "Mr. Trump, this joker using VPN to congratulate you... By the way, Elon Musk's platform has been banned in Pakistan!"

Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, defended the ban on X, claiming that terrorist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army were exploiting the platform for anti-national purposes.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, referred to the US and Pakistan as "old friends" and emphasized that a second term for Trump would not alter Islamabad's relationship with China. She described the Pakistan-China bond as an "all-weather" one, unaffected by global developments, including the leadership in the US.

Baloch further assured that Pakistan remained committed to strengthening ties with the US in various sectors, regardless of changes in the American administration.