Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took aim at UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for the way he positioned himself during an official gathering with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Istanbul.
"Etiquette dictates that the soles of your shoes should not be visible to the people sitting around you, especially when you are in a formal setting," Asif posted on X on Saturday.
He referenced a photograph from the session that displayed Miliband with one leg crossed over the other, the shoe sole turned toward Dar.
The minister's comment attracted considerable traffic within hours. Known for forthright posts, Asif has previously targeted foreign leaders on the platform.
Some X users replied that a Pakistani official in the same pose would have drawn immediate criticism from body-language experts, adding that the British seem to receive a free pass for similar conduct.
What the Meeting Was About
Dar met Miliband on Friday on the sidelines of the R4 and E3 foreign ministers' meeting hosted by Türkiye. An official statement said the two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international developments.
The UK Foreign Secretary also praised Pakistan's role in promoting regional peace.
The Istanbul gathering brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, France, Germany and Italy, focusing on the US/Israel-Iran conflict and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dar additionally held separate talks with his German, French, Saudi, Turkish and Egyptian counterparts during the visit.
