Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep shock on Sunday following a shooting incident at the annual White House correspondents' dinner in Washington. He expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, his wife, and other attendees remained safe during the episode.
Details of the Incident
Trump was rushed out of the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening after gunshots were heard outside the ballroom where the president and his wife were seated before the start of the annual media gala. The US president later posted on his Truth Social account that he, the first lady, and other cabinet officials were unhurt and that a shooter had been apprehended.
Speaking to the media after the incident, Trump said a man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and was taken down by the US Secret Service. He noted that one Secret Service officer was shot but his life was saved by a bulletproof jacket.
Pakistan's Reaction
Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., a short while ago, Sharif wrote on social media platform X. The Pakistani prime minister said he was relieved to find out that Trump, his wife, and other attendees were safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being, he added.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the shooting in a statement, describing it as a heinous act of terrorism. The US president said he believed the shooter acted alone, calling it a lone wolf whack job. The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that a suspect was in custody but did not disclose his identity.
Pakistan-US Relations
Pakistans government has formed a close bond with Trump and his administration during his second term in office. Due to Pakistans cordial ties with Trump, it has been able to position itself as a key mediator between Iran and the US, as tensions between the two have persisted since February.
