Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, has claimed that the office of US President-elect Donald Trump had approved the readout of his conversation with Nawaz Sharif that Islamabad released last week.
According to a report in ‘Dawn’, Fatemi said that the Pakistani government released the readout only after receiving a green signal from Donald Trump’s office.
“That is the language that the President-elect used. And it was a very honest and truthful narrative, which we put out with the approval of his office. And if that has created interest and excitement, we are in no way disappointed with it,” Fatemi said.
When asked if he was with the Prime Minister during that call, Fatemi said: “I am special assistant to the PM, so it’s my job to be present at the right place, at the right time.”
When the journalist asked for a clearer answer, he said: “I leave it to your imagination.”
The release of the readout by the Pakistani government created a major controversy in Washington where even the White House joined the call for Trump to be more careful while talking to foreign leaders.
The US media also criticised Pakistan for releasing details of personal greetings.
