‘Until he plants trees all over Islamabad and Karachi’: The internet reacts as Iranian president ignores PM Shehbaz’s cues to stop shoveling
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian concluded a one-day official visit to Pakistan, leaving behind discussions on regional security frameworks and a viral moment on the lawns of the Prime Minister House.
Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. The state visit included a guard of honor, a private meeting at the PM House, and delegation-level talks.
In a joint press conference, Pezeshkian stated that he held constructive discussions with PM Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir to usher in a new era of bilateral relations based on shared interests.
The internet, however, focused entirely on a breakdown of diplomatic protocol during a routine tree-planting ceremony. As part of the visit, Pezeshkian participated in the traditional planting of a friendship sapling.
Video footage from the event shows the Iranian president taking a shovel and filling the hole with intense concentration. Unlike standard diplomatic photo-ops, where leaders gently tip a symbolic handful of dirt for the cameras, Pezeshkian kept shoveling.
PM Sharif can be seen repeatedly patting Pezeshkian on the back, signaling that the cameras had their shot and the task was finished. The Iranian president ignored the cues entirely, continuing to work until the hole was filled.
The silent footage triggered a massive wave of commentary online as netizens broke down the body language frame by frame.
One viral comment pointed out the stark contrast in statecraft styles: “Shows you the diff in mindset. He thinks planting a tree means planting a tree. Meanwhile our boy believes this is symbolic and only for the pics and then let someone else handle it.”
Another user took a long-term view of the Iranian president’s work ethic, joking, “The doctor won’t let it go until its fully green and bears fruit from it lol.”
Observers noted how the exchange disrupted the typical rhythm of international photo-ops. “The Pakistani Prime Minister is astonished by the Iranian President’s insistence as he zealously plants one of the trees, while most world leaders merely place a bit of soil in the hole and let others complete the work,” a social media user posted.
Others began joking about a potential nationwide landscaping marathon, warning that Pezeshkian would continue “until he plants trees all over Islamabad and Karachi and won’t let go.”
Internet users from across the border also joined the comment section to turn the gardening into a matter of national grit. One user wrote, “Thanks Prime Minister but we Iranians leave no work unfinished,” while another added, “When Iran do something, they will do it to the end.”
The clip ended with the PM left smiling awkwardly for the media while waiting for his guest to finish the manual labor. A final viral review summed up the interaction: “He doesn’t care about formalities; he does the job as if he’s doing it in his own home. Because he’s not one for showy displays and theatrics.”
Following the ceremony and state meetings, Pezeshkian departed the country. CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi gathered at the tarmac to bid farewell to the delegation.
