'Highest paid chauffeur': Twitter mocks Imran Khan for 'personally driving' Saudi Prince to PM House

Amidst efforts from India to push Pakistan to blacklist for funding terrorism at the Financial Action Task Force plenary, Islamabad left no stone unturned to showcase the world that it still has friends. Despite the risks of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Pakistan on Sunday at the start of his tour of South Asia and China. The Saudi Crown Prince was received by a high-level delegation including Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa among others. 

Saudi crown prince was awarded a grand welcome as he arrived in Islamabad. The government of PM Imran Khan had released an official video where Chinese-designed JF-17 and US-origin F-16 fighters of the Pakistan Air Force can be seen escorting the aircraft of Salman as it entered Pakistan airspace. Saudi Crown Prince's trip is being treated by Islamabad as the biggest state visit after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015. 

Pakistan Air Force Fighter aircraft escorting the VVIP aircraft of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. #CrownPrinceinPakistan #WelcomePrinceMBS #PakSaudiFriendship pic.twitter.com/CN9A3X1kPh

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 17, 2019

Pakistan PM Imran Khan, breaking the protocol, drove a Mercedes Benz carrying Saudi Crown Prince to the PM's house. However, speculations were that Saudi Crown Prince Salman's visit would be cancelled in the wake of the soaring tension between India and Pakistan after the brutal Pulwama attack. While Saudi Arabia has condemned the Pulwama attack, the visit was not called off. Furthermore, Salman is scheduled to visit India next.

Cash-strapped Pakistan is doing whatever it takes to please friends during their visit which is expected to sign investment agreements worth more than USD 10 billion. 

Saudi Arabia has always been a friend of Pakistan. We are taking this relationship to a level that we never saw before: Prime Minister Imran Khan 
(2/2) #CrownPrinceinPakistan #PakSaudiFriendship pic.twitter.com/HKlsYhSGaF

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 17, 2019

Nevertheless, social media strongly reacted to the Pakistani Prime Minister's move to personally drive the car to welcome the Crown Prince of Saudi. Twitteratis backlash was prompted after Prime Minister’s Office posted photos and videos of PM Imran Khan warmly receiving the visiting dignitary. A series of tweets were posted on the official PakPMO account. These posts instantly sparked a flurry of reaction on the Internet. The adverse response of users was triggered as the government in media hype had lately announced that they are converting the PM House into the Islamabad National University to promote higher education. However, the Saudi Crown Prince on his visit was taken to the PM house only. 

Here are a few reactions from Twitterati: 

Does Imran Khan has training in driving in convoy formation and has he been trained in special maneuvers for security?

Or should we be asking if any driver in convoy has that training?

#CrownPrinceinPakistan

— Pakistan (@GlobalAnalyzer) February 17, 2019

Mr Imran Khan has become the highest paid chauffeur in the world. Rs 20 billion US dollars for driving MBS--Mullah of the Business Society. https://t.co/emaGExLDjK

— Mukhtar Lone????? (@Mukhtarlone6) February 18, 2019

Has Pakistan PM been given a new job? Seen him regularly chauffeuring around Arabs princes. pic.twitter.com/zMeBox2EGn

— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) February 17, 2019

PM @ImranKhanPTI has turned out to be " Man of the Moment" and his charismatic personality receives International acclaim at every forum !

He has brought Pakistan on driving seat now first time ever on international scenario. pic.twitter.com/tuw2KwTjct

— PTI Central Punjab (@PTICPOfficial) February 13, 2019

A few days ago we read news that PM house was turned into a university. But today we see pictures of PM Khan meeting visiting dignitaries in the PM house. Now again I am confused. Has the PM house been converted into a university or not?https://t.co/uzQnLrU9r2

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) January 6, 2019

Welcome Mr. Crown prince, look How much our PM Imran khan love to host Driving car his self #CrownPrinceinPakistan pic.twitter.com/DkREJCYH1d

— Nouman Khan (@Noumankkb) February 17, 2019

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI driving the Honorable Guest HRH Crown Prince Of Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia from Noor Khan Airbase to Prime Minister House. #CrownPrinceInPakistan pic.twitter.com/A7L2gxKtwT

— Azhar Laghari (@AzharLaghariPTI) February 17, 2019