‘You Are a Terrific Guy, Nawaz Sharif’: Trump Gushes Over Phone

Pakistan released a press release on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s congratulatory call to Donald Trump.

Nawaz Sharif and Donald Trump. (Photo: Reuters and AP)

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday told Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he’s a “terrific guy” and Pakistan is a “fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people”, according to a press release put out by the Pakistani government.

Trump apparently made these remarks as Sharif called him to congratulate on his recent victory.

Trump was quoted as saying in a statement released by Sharif’s office:

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 honour and I will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time, even before 20 January, that is before I assume my office.

Pakistan’s Press Information Department released a ‘readout’ of Sharif’s call to Trump but whether these are Trump’s exact words or it has been paraphrased is not known yet.

President Trump said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif you have 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.

Press Release 

As I am talking to you Prime Minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. 

Press Release

These words are a total departure from his previous statements on the country where he called Pakistan “probably the most dangerous” country. Majority of the “fantastic people” of Pakistan are Muslims and Trump during his campaign said he’ll ban Muslims from Unites States.

Sharif invited Trump to visit Pakistan.

In his reply, Trump said he would love to visit the country and meet its people.

Earlier, Trump had said that if elected, he'd like to mediate between India and Pakistan. But like the Obama administration, Trump also said that he would only mediate if both countries asked him to do so.