Pakistan's Leadership Under Fire After Trump's Pro-India Moves
Pakistan's top leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is confronting severe criticism from their own citizens across social media platforms. The backlash intensified following recent actions by former US President Donald Trump that appeared to favor India over Pakistan in both diplomatic gestures and trade policies.
Trump's Social Media Posts Spark Controversy
The controversy began when Donald Trump shared what many Pakistanis perceived as "pro-India" content on his Truth Social platform. President Trump posted images of India's iconic India Gate monument, describing it as "India's beautiful Triumphal Arch." Subsequently, he shared a magazine cover featuring himself alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further fueling perceptions of growing closeness between the two leaders.
Tariff Disparity Adds Fuel to Fire
The social media posts coincided with significant trade policy developments that have left Pakistan at a disadvantage. The United States officially implemented revised tariff rates through an executive order signed on July 31, 2025, setting India's tariff at 18% while maintaining Pakistan's rate at 19%. This represents a substantial reduction for India from previous levels of 50%, granting Indian goods a slight price advantage in the US market.
Comparative tariff analysis reveals:
- India enjoys an 18% US tariff rate
- Pakistan faces a 19% US tariff rate
- Vietnam and Bangladesh both have 20% rates
- China confronts tariffs exceeding 30%
This tariff structure places India among the most favorably treated Asian nations, with only Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan enjoying lower reciprocal rates of 15%. Oil-rich Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates benefit from even more preferential 10% tariffs.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
Pakistani social media users, particularly on platform X, have responded with frustration and sarcasm. The platform has become flooded with memes and comments mocking the perceived growing alliance between Modi and Trump while criticizing Pakistan's leadership.
One particularly harsh comment from user Umar Ali compared Field Marshal Asim Munir's relationship with Trump to "that mistress who makes the lover do all the illegal and dirty work, and when the time comes to give or take something, she says I am compelled to obey my family's decision."
Other users expressed broader discontent with Pakistan's leadership. One comment stated, "Every step taken by Pakistan is in personal interest (of the leaders). Not in the national interest. Know the difference and live accordingly," while another declared, "Trump has dashed all of Munir Machi's dreams, in my opinion."
Broader Leadership Criticism Emerges
The criticism extends beyond international relations to domestic governance. One user wrote, "Asim Munir has turned out to be a failed marshal. Under his poor leadership, hatred against the Army has increased among the public. KPK and Balochistan are in chaos. National institutions are dysfunctional & economy is in the worst condition."
Supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan joined the chorus, with one user named Gulfam Ahmad stating, "Free Imran Khan. No words for the fascist current regime of Pakistan, just go, Asim Munir, go." Another Imran Khan supporter described Munir as "the main psychopath who is holding our country, Pakistan, hostage."
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hasn't escaped criticism either, with some users labeling him a "puppet" of what they call the "dictator" Asim Munir.
Diplomatic Efforts Fail to Yield Results
The online fury comes despite Pakistan's recent diplomatic overtures toward the United States. Notably, Pakistan's nomination of Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize appears to have failed to produce visible diplomatic gains or improved trade terms for the country.
Many Pakistani social media users expressed frustration with what they perceive as unequal treatment on the international stage. One user questioned, "Are all Pakistanis really this dumb? How can you think India and Pakistan can be treated as equal partners by others?" reflecting broader concerns about Pakistan's standing in global affairs.
The combination of Trump's public displays of favoritism toward India, the tariff disparity, and perceived diplomatic failures has created a perfect storm of online criticism against Pakistan's current leadership, highlighting growing public discontent with both domestic governance and international positioning.
