Imran Khan’s Diplomatic Faux Passé: Pak PM keeps sitting at SCO Summit as world leaders assemble

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s diplomatic manners were once again in question at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. In a video released by Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of the opening ceremony of the SCO Summit, Khan was seen taking his seat and he remained seated even as other world leaders could be seen entering the hall one after the other with the entire hall still standing to applaud for the various heads of state. 

In the visual, it could be seen that Khan looks around, then stands up, and then again sits down comfortably while the Heads of States are still entering the hall.

However, this is not the first time, Imran Khan has faced flax for lacking diplomatic etiquette. On June 3, Imran Khan failed to adhere to diplomatic ethics and allegedly disrespected King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The two leaders had met for the Arab nation's OIC Summit at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, during which Khan was received by King Salman bin Abdulaziz on arrival. Khan spoke to the translator instead of the King, and walked off as the interpreter was still translating for the King. 

Earlier in February when Pakistan was hosting the Saudi Aabian Crown Prince Mohammed-bin-Salman, Khan began eating before Pakistan President Arif Alvi’s speech during a state-organised lunch .