Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, June 14

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan again broke the diplomatic protocol at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Summit held in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek on Thursday.

In a video shared on Twitter handle of his own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan entered the hall and sat on his seat, while other world leaders stood due to diplomatic courtesy.

Prime Minister of #Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI's Arrival with other World Leaders at Invitation of President of Kyrgyzstan for Opening Ceremony 19th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan (13.06.19)#SCOSummit2019 pic.twitter.com/fYdKYN3Fv7 — PTI (@PTIofficial) June 13, 2019

Khan, however, stood up for a while only to acknowledge his presence when his name was announced.

Earlier this month, too, Khan was widely criticised for walking off even before a message could be translated during an interaction with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the 14th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or OIC Summit held in Saudi Arabia.

Imran Khan spoke to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, walked out & left the interpreter to translate 4 the King. Saudi govt has protested at highest level, told Pakistan that IK’s behaviour was disgusting & broke protocol rules. Meeting with the King & his Cabinet cancelled pic.twitter.com/nI6Yy2yrGD — Sidrah Memon (@SidrahMemon1) June 1, 2019

The video was widely circulated on social media and Khan was severely trolled for “disrespecting” and leaving the king alone.

In another embarrassing moment, Khan began to eat before the Saudi Crown Prince was to deliver a speech ahead of the lunch. Both the leaders were seated on the dias.