Hamid Mir wants everyone to know Imran Khan was too busy for the French president

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan recently held a meeting with several prominent journalists of the country, which included the likes of Hamid Mir.

In a tweet following the meeting, the journalist disclosed that French President Emmanuel Macron called the prime minister but Khan was too busy and sent a message along that he would call Macron back in 30 minutes.

New Pakistan.French President @EmmanuelMacron called Prime Minister of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI today but he was busy in a meeting with journalists including me Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua wanted PM to attend the call but PM said I am busy here tell them to call in 30 minutes

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) August 31, 2018

Several people, including Senator Sherry Rehman, questioned this move by the prime minister.

Let’s not construct notions of “honour” akin to discourtesy. Bizarre that a call at this level was not pre-scheduled. Why is this some badge of honour that even if it came in a rolling schedule of calls a state to state call was refused? No journalist present would have minded. https://t.co/RPu3riLLIA

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 1, 2018

I've worked at the French Embassy and I find it hard to believe that the call wouldn't have been scheduled in advance. In case it was and IK didn't take it, it just shows that he's not head of state material. A fellow head of state isn't your buddy that he'll call back in 30. https://t.co/FbkXgh7eFC

— Jahanzeb Hussain (@hussainjahanzeb) August 31, 2018

Others questioned Mir’s decision to tweet this piece of information in the first place.

Apologies Mr. Macron @EmmanuelMacron. Hamid Mir has never actually been around someone who the French President would call. He's a tad bit excited, take no notice of him.

— Mariam's Madness (@mariamsmadness) August 31, 2018

Monsieur let President, nous sommes desoles, Hamid Mir grew up idolising dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. His father was a member of Zia's Islamisation drive@ cost of democracy. Hamid is unfamiliar with diplomatic decorum. The occurrence should not have been reported. He breached ethics

— mulla4sale (@mulla4sale) August 31, 2018

Mr @HamidMirPAK
You shouldn't have tagged French president. It is humiliating for him. Hope you know the sensitivity involved in this matter.

— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) August 31, 2018

There are also those who supported Khan’s decision.