During an event in Islamabad honouring the national hockey team for playing in the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, stand-up comedian Syed Shafaat Ali mimicked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Addressing the event, the premier said, “I would like to congratulate the Pakistan hockey team for making the nation proud internationally. Pakistan hockey was declining, but now we see that the good days of Pakistan are returning due to your hard work.”
After his speech, PM Shehbaz humorously remarked that Shafaat had once ‘injured’ him with his mimicry. He joked that seeing Shafaat at the event made him think he was in trouble.
Shafaat, famous for mimicking politicians, has videos that have gone viral on social media. The PM invited him on stage to crack a joke or perform a mimicry set. Shafaat said mimicking the premier live as he stood before him was difficult. However, the prime minister encouraged him, saying there was no problem and he could repeat the joke he had made earlier.
During his speech, PM Shehbaz directed the authorities to induct hockey players into government institutes. He also discussed reviving the sport in the country with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials.
Cheques worth Rs1 million each were distributed among the hockey team members to recognize their achievements.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was fresh air for hockey fans as Pakistan qualified for the event’s final for the first time in 13 years.
