PM Nawaz likely to meet Donald Trump this week

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and United States President Donald Trump are likely to hold their first-ever meeting in Saudi Arabia

PM Sharif will arrive in Saudi Arabia on May 20 for the US-Arab-Islamic summit, to be participated by several leaders from across the world.

According to reports, a meeting between Sharif and Trump had been planned; but, a fixed date, time and agenda of the meeting were yet to be worked out.

In December last year, Trump made headlines in the Pakistani media after he reportedly held a telephonic conversation with PM Nawaz and called him a ‘terrific guy’.

According to PM House press statement, Trump said he would love to visit the fantastic country [Pakistan], in apparent volte face to his critical remarks against Pakistan in 2012 via tweet.

Here’s what else the PM House statement of Dec 1, 2016 read:

“I am looking forward to see you soon. As i am talking to you prime minister, i feel i am talking to a person i have known for long. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and i will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January that is before i assume my office.”

What followed next was mockery of the PM House and the incumbent government for making such a claim that was not verified or endorsed by the White House.

Read: Trump’s praise for PM Sharif puzzles foreign media

A number of Twitter users also took a jibe at use of words and overall language in the readout and described it as ‘amusing’.