Pak dismisses reports over White House's displeasure to envoy for tweeting image with first lady

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ANI Islamabad [Pakistan]
Last Updated : Aug 30 2016 | 5:42 PM IST

Pakistan on Tuesday dubbed the report suggesting that the White House has conveyed its displeasure to ambassador to the U.S. Jalil Abbas Jilani for tweeting an image of him and his wife with the first lady Michelle Obama as completely incorrect and baseless.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan in a statement said that no such letter from the White House has been received either in the Mission in Washington or the Ministry.

"The news published today in a local daily regarding a letter of displeasure from the White House to our Ambassador in Washington is completely incorrect and baseless," the statement read.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the report was a figment of the reporter's own imagination.

"No such letter from the White House has been received either in our Mission in Washington or this Ministry. It is nothing but a figment of the Reporter's own imagination," the statement added.

The statement also pointed out it is unethical on the part of the reporter, based in Washington, to have filed a baseless story without verifying its authenticity.

According to the News, the White House in strongly-worded letter addressed to Jilani, criticised his actions and accused the ambassador of breaching trust and being undiplomatic in his action.

Jilani had in the last week of May this year tweeted the picture with the caption, "It was an absolute delight hosting FLOTUS at Pakistan House today."

Following his tweet, a section of the press also carried out analysis that Michelle Obama and Jilani discussed bilateral relations as well.

Disappointed by the tweet, the White House reportedly reminded in the letter that the first lady's short stopover at Jilani's residence was personal and extracting any political gain out of that was unprofessional.

The first lady was invited to his residence, the Pakistan House, to participate in his son's graduation party.

His youngest son is said to have attended the same school as President Barack Obama's daughters.

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First Published: Aug 30 2016 | 4:56 PM IST

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