While the COP28 featured prominent figures such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the focus has shifted to the positioning and reception of Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
The recently concluded COP28 climate conference in Dubai brought together world leaders under the UAE Presidency, creating a platform for discussions on critical environmental issues. While the event featured prominent figures such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the focus has shifted to the positioning and reception of Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
Photographs from the COP28 Summit have circulated on the internet, with particular attention given to the placement of leaders during the family photograph ceremony. In these images, Prime Minister Kakar is notably positioned at the end of the row in the corner, forcing several citizens of Pakistan to wonder 'Where is my PM?'.
| Dubai, UAE: World leaders attending the Summit pose for a family photograph pic.twitter.com/LZEuk1bclJ
— ANI (@ANI)The most striking contrast in the photographs is the positioning of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stood prominently beside the host country, the UAE. This juxtaposition has triggered discussions on the diplomatic dynamics and international recognition accorded to different leaders at such global gatherings.
🔸Mission Finding 🧐 🔍 Pakistani PM in COP28.
UN's conference regarding environment and climate change took place in UAE where world leaders gathered. Pakistani Caretaker PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar also attended the conference.
___ pic.twitter.com/j3MEXWIBXZ
Picture speaks itself 😀 pic.twitter.com/GSD6ZAGJAO
— Beebagr Baloch (@Beebagr_Baluch)اقوام متحدہ کے زیر اہتمام متحدہ عرب امارات میں COP28 کے بین الاقوامی فورم پر پاکستان کی نمائندگی کرنے کا اعزاز حاصل ہوا۔ مختلف ممالک کے سربراہان سے ماحولیاتی مسائل کے حوالے سے گفتگو میں پاکستان کو درپیش ماحولیاتی چیلنجز کے بارے میں آگاہ کیا۔ pic.twitter.com/FXRcBoUtkZ
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar)The images sparked a wave of online reactions, especially on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Notably, Pakistani political analyst Qamar Cheema took a satirical approach, humorously asking people to help him find his Prime Minister in the group photo. Similarly, journalist Arzoo Kazmi added to the banter by sharing a laughing emoji while making light of the situation.
Places of India and Pakistan in international conference. pic.twitter.com/QZ2w6ztKBJ
— Wahida ️🇦🇫 (@Wahida_Afghan)The mission is to locate the caretaker PM of Pakistan at COP28.
Modi is standing right next to the HOST, and we now try to find 🧐🔍 Annu Kakar of Pakistan..
AND....
I found him, he's right there on🔝 https://t.co/XTwGje9Zzz pic.twitter.com/c0dZVNtsez
As if snub by King Charles was not enough; check out the Group Photo of COP28 leaders! Modi in first row amongst Heads, our Kakar way back in 5th row, more a loner in the top corner! This is natural, Modi represents his Nation, ours a political appointee by one Party!Embarrassing
— Nationalist (@Nationalist52)If you want to know where the civilized world sees an unelected head of state of an unconstitutional government, look at our PM Sahib in the red circle in this group photo of the heads of states participating in the global conference held in ! pic.twitter.com/lkKcNgo5Em
— Viqar Ahmed Madni (@VAMadni)found him with magnifying glass... he is standing at the end way back https://t.co/U6Wt7AO35Z
— Kadar Khan (@kadar_k)Shukar hai isko last row me jagah mil gaye warna agle baar isko pictures se he out kardege https://t.co/yYlbUWTM33
— Civilian supremacy (@mani_shehzad)Where’s https://t.co/JLCYM79bUB
— Aadil Jaleel (@Aadil_jaleel)The incident has prompted discussions among people of Pakistan, with some speculating on the perceived lack of attention given to Prime Minister Kakar. While these reactions on social media are often a mix of genuine observations and satire, they underscore the impact of visual symbolism in shaping public perceptions.
As the online discourse continues, it remains to be seen how the incident will be addressed by Pakistani authorities and whether it will have any repercussions on diplomatic relations or public opinion. The COP28 Summit's unintended focus on seating dynamics serves as a reminder of the intersection between global diplomacy and the scrutiny enabled by social media platforms.
Also read: Imran Khan removed as head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party he founded