Search icon
Download the all-new Republic app:
Published Aug 10, 2024 at 2:23 PM IST

Pakistan PM Faces Backlash For ‘Hideous’ Video Celebrating Nadeem’s Olympic Gold

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has come under fire on social media following a video of him celebrating Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold medal going viral. The video shows Sharif watching Arshad Nadeem’s javelin throw, which set an Olympic record with a distance of 92.97 meters and earned him gold. Sharif is seen raising his hands in celebration as a man next to him praises Sharif’s “vision” for providing Nadeem with an opportunity. The remarks, “Bahot mubarak ho sir, Pakistan Zindabad. Aapka vision hai sir, aapne isse mauka diya” (Many congratulations sir, Pakistan Zindabad. It's your vision. You gave him the chance), triggered a wave of criticism. Social media users accused Sharif of "petty appropriation" and "graceless opportunism," with some suggesting that the Prime Minister was merely reacting to highlights of the event rather than watching it live.

LIVE TV