On June 29, 2021, a video of Pakistani Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi went viral on social media. The video showed Qureshi participating in a virtual meeting with his counterparts from several countries, including Afghanistan, China, and Uzbekistan. However, things took an unexpected turn when Qureshi’s staff members were seen entering his room, handing him a piece of paper, and whispering something in his ear.

As soon as the staff members left, Qureshi awkwardly shifted in his seat, adjusted his tie, and looked around the screen with puzzlement. He then proceeded to ignore the ongoing conversation and started reading out loud from the piece of paper he was handed, prompting his counterparts to express their confusion and amazement.

The video quickly went viral, with many viewers questioning Qureshi’s behavior and criticizing him for being unprofessional and disrespectful. Others speculated that he was being fed lines by his staff members or was unaware that his microphone was still on.

Qureshi later released a statement, claiming that he had experienced a “technical glitch,” and his staff had to brief him on the developments of the situation on the ground. He also apologized for his behavior, saying that he should have been more careful and attentive during the meeting.

Despite his explanation and apology, the incident has sparked a heated debate online, with many calling for Qureshi’s resignation, while others defended his action as a simple mistake. Some even pointed out that such incidents are not uncommon in virtual meetings, where technical glitches and misunderstandings can easily happen.

Regardless of the varying opinions, the viral video has brought attention to the importance of professionalism and etiquette in virtual meetings, especially in high-level diplomatic discussions. It has also served as a reminder of the impact of social media and the power of viral content in shaping public perception and opinion.