Pakistan Prime Minister arrived in New York to attend the 69th UN General Assembly session. He will be staying at the Waldorf Astoria, billed as most expensive hotel in the Big Apple. Pakistani twitterers who just a day before had been tweeting extensively about misplaced priority of India to send a mission to Mars when it hasn't provided for water and sanitation for its millions were enraged when they heard about their Prime Minister's choice of hotel.
@amina_mujtaba tweeted Went to Waldorf Astoria hotel yesterday. Nawaz Sharif has the most expensive suite in the hotel.
@Wiseguy70: Waldorf Astoria NY 7star Hotel where Royal Highness #NawazSharif will stay.1night is $8000.
@Ahmed01raAhmed tweeted wonder how many chamchae r going, and Pakistan's poor pay 4 them too! No electricity, rozee tight and they fck off abroad, begherats!
@ZAhmad101 Nawaz sharif stay in Waldorf Hotel costs more than India's mars mission. And the icing on the cake by @truedebate #India's Mars Probe enters #Mars orbit. And #Pakistan #PM #Nawaz #Sharif enters lobby of #Waldorf #Astoria in #New #York. Pity for Pakistan
Not to be outdone, Pakistani politicians who are unsparing in their criticism of Prime Minister Sharif said that it seemed like the PM was on a private visit and not representing a country devastated by floods and terrorism. Dr Tahirul Qadri on Wednesday mocked what he called slavish mentality of the Pakistani Prime Minister who he said chose to stay in the Waldorf Astoria hoping for a chance meeting with the American President with whom he hadn't secured a meeting so far.
"Nawaz very well knows he will never be invited over for even an informal meeting with Obama, but he might get lucky and stumble across him in the elevator, extend his hand for a handshake, and eventually succeed in getting one," said the Canadian based cleric who is continuing his dharna in the Pakistani capital.
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The Waldorf Astoria at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan is a 47-story 190.5 m (625 ft) Art Deco landmark building was the tallest and largest hotel in the world, and remained so for a number of years. President Obama and the first lady are staying at this iconic hotel. But last night the First Couple decided to not dine in the tony hotel and went downtown to Estela on E. Houston St. A meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister is not on his schedule.
Prime Minister Sharif will address the annual session on Friday. During his stay in New York, Nawaz Sharif will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts of Japan and Bangladesh, US Vice President Joe Biden, and President of Rwanda. Nawaz Sharif will also attend the UN Peacekeeping Summit. Meeting with Modi? Watch this space.