Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband over his sitting posture during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Istanbul.

“Etiquette dictates that the soles of your shoes should not be visible to the people sitting around you, especially when you are in a formal setting,” Asif wrote on X on Saturday.

His remarks came after a photograph from the meeting showed Miliband sitting with one leg crossed over the other, with the sole of his shoe facing Dar.

The post attracted significant attention on social media, with some users questioning whether a Pakistani official would have faced similar criticism for the same posture. They argued that diplomatic etiquette experts would have been quick to comment if a Pakistani representative had been pictured sitting that way, while foreign officials often escaped similar scrutiny.

Asif has previously made blunt remarks about foreign leaders on social media, including criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over international awards he received.

What Was the Meeting About?

Dar met Miliband on Friday on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers from the R4 and E3 groups hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul.

According to an official statement, the two sides discussed regional and international developments and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Miliband also praised Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace.

The wider gathering included foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy. Discussions focused on the US-Israel war with Iran and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

During the visit, Dar also held separate meetings with his German, French, Saudi, Turkish, and Egyptian counterparts.