A viral video claimed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif received a grand welcome during his private visit to China.

Fact Check Pakistan has determined that that the claim is misleading and does not relate to the former prime minister’s recent visit to China a private citizen.

On April 24, 2024, a video began circulating on social media site X showing Nawaz receiving a guard of honour in China.

The user, who appears to be a PML-N supporter based, stated, “Red carpet, guard of honour, full protocol. Without any official rank. National leaders are those whom the world trusts.”

The video featured a caption stating, ‘”No government position, but welcomed like a prime minister, Nawaz Sharif received a grand welcome in China.”

Fact Check Pakistan has determined that the video relates to Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China in 2013 as prime minister, rather than his recent visit.

The video shows Nawaz Sharif being welcomed by Premier of China Li Keqiang. It must be mentioned that the current Premier of China is Li Qiang. Li Keqiang served as the Premier of China from 2013 to 2023. He passed away on October 27, 2023.

A keyword search for “Nawaz Sharif received a guard of honour in China” showed that the viral video is of his 2013 visit to China when he was prime minister.

AP Archive also posted the video to YouTube on April 15, 2021, with the caption: “Pakistani PM Sharif welcomed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang”.

The description of the video said it was from July 5, 2013, and showed then-prime minister Nawaz welcomed by his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang during an official visit to Beijing.

Nawaz went to China on a five-day private in April 2024 visit citing medical checkups. He was accompanied by his grandson Junaid Safdar and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

It can be concluded that the video showing Nawaz’s welcome by Chinese authorities is misleading. The video is an old one from his previous 2013 visit to China instead of from his April 2024 visit.