The world got a sigh of relief as US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran just hours before a strike deadline tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Amid worldwide focus on de-escalation, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif swiftly took to X, claiming credit for mediating the ceasefire. However, his post drew unexpected attention for a visible “Draft” tag, sparking widespread online chatter. Netizens joked that Sharif was merely relaying a message possibly drafted by Trump himself.
US President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran just 90 minutes before a strike deadline tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for one-fifth of the world’s oil. Pakistan played a crucial role, with PM Shehbaz Sharif stating that he urged both sides to pause fighting and allow diplomacy to proceed. He added that Islamabad would host talks between the two sides, aiming to reach a longer-term agreement.
“Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. We also urge all warring parties to observe to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region,” Sharif posted on April 8.
The post by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif hit a bump when users noticed it originally included the line: “Draft - Pakistan’s PM Message on X.” The label was quickly removed, but not before screenshots circulated widely, turning what should have been a routine update into a viral moment.
Online users were quick to comment. One wrote, “Pakistan’s Prime Minister copy-pasted the tweet along with the instructions...If the Prime Minister of Pakistan can’t even post a tweet properly, how will he run the country?”
Another user wrote, "Shehbaz Sharif just copy-pasted it straight. Staff would say 'Prime Minister,' but apparently the U.S. and Israel insist on 'Pakistan's PM.' Hilarious… if the fate of the world weren't riding on a draft."