‘Aapka Vision’: 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.

Video: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif celebrating Arshan Nadeem's gold medal 

One user commented, “The MOST hideous video of Shahbaz Sharif in history. What petty appropriation. Graceless opportunism personifying exactly what is wrong with our ruling elites.” 

Another added, “They also deserve medals in clownery, shamelessness, and poor acting.”

Nadeem’s victory at the Paris Olympics was a historic moment for Pakistan, as he became the first Pakistani to win an individual gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He surpassed India's defending champion Neeraj Chopra, who won silver, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who took bronze. Nadeem, who previously finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympics and secured silver at last year’s world championships, expressed his elation, stating, "When I threw the javelin, I felt it could be an Olympic record."