Pakistan said Donald
Trump praised its prime minister as a "terrific guy" and offered
support for a "fantastic" country, in an effusive phone call that
baffled many after sharp
criticisms in the past.
The Pakistani
government released the candid account, complete with Trump's trademark
language, after Sharif phoned the billionaire real estate mogul to congratulate
him on his election victory.
Widely circulated on
social media, the statement released late Wednesday caused surprise given the
anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump campaign and the president-elect's past
description of the country as "not our friend".
It said Trump told
the embattled Pakistani leader, currently embroiled in a corruption court case,
that he has a "very good reputation".
"You are a
terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am
looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you Prime Minister, I feel
I am talking to a person I have known for long," it quoted Trump as
saying.
"Your country
is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most
intelligent people," Trump said according to the statement, while also
offering to help solve the nation's many challenges which include a violent
insurgency.
"I am ready and
willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions
to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and I will personally do
it."
Trump has long been
disdainful of Pakistan on social media.
On January 17, 2012,
he tweeted: "Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. We've given them
billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect
— and much worse. "
Pakistanis have also
been suspicious of his relationship with arch-rival India.
Trump courted
Indian-American voters in the run-up to election day. He spoke with Indian
leader Narendra Modi last month and has met with Indian business leaders since
winning the election.
Pakistan heavily
relies on US aid and is likely to get around $1 billion in economic and
security assistance in the 2017 financial year.
Trump's election has
met with concern over what it could mean for aid commitments and bumpy
diplomatic relations.
However, the
government statement said Trump urged Sharif to call him "any time even
before 20th January" when he takes power.
Trump also responded
to an invitation to visit Pakistan by saying he would "love to come to a
fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people", it said.
Some social media
users welcomed the phone call revelations as a pleasant surprise.
"Fantastic
diplomacy" wrote Pakistani journalist Waseem Abbasi, based in Washington,
on Facebook.
Some were more
sceptical.
"But Mr Trump
do you know most Pakistanis are Muslim - how can they be 'brilliant and
exceptional' as well? Won't you stop them entering?" wrote journalist Omar
Quraishi on Twitter.
Trump's transition
team confirmed the call but gave a more toned-down account, saying the pair had
a "productive conversation about how the United States and Pakistan will
have a strong working relationship in the future."
"President-elect
Trump also noted that he is looking forward to a lasting and strong personal
relationship with Prime Minister Sharif," it said in a statement.
AFP
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