Controversy Surrounds Pakistani Official at UN Despite Silence

A female official within the Pakistani delegation at the United Nations has become the subject of considerable discussion. The woman, seen seated behind Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, has prompted questions regarding her presence and role. The official is identified as Shama Junejo, a columnist and social media activist. Her inclusion in the delegation has sparked controversy. Junejo claims that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed her as an advisor to the delegation. The controversy began when images of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s speech at a UN Security Council session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) went viral on social media platform X, with users noticing Junejo seated behind him. Adding fuel to the fire, scrutiny of Junejo’s social media posts revealed pro-Israel sentiments, starkly contrasting Pakistan’s pro-Palestinian stance. This led to questions about how an individual with such views was included in the Pakistani delegation. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif responded by stating that only the Foreign Office could clarify Junejo’s presence. The Foreign Office subsequently clarified that she was not part of the official delegation. The Foreign Office emphasized that Junejo’s name was not included in the official Letter of Credence signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for the 80th UNGA session, and therefore, her presence behind the Defence Minister was not authorized. Khawaja Asif expressed surprise and concern about individuals being included in the delegation without subsequent acceptance. He also refuted claims that Junejo wrote Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech for the 80th UN General Assembly. However, Junejo stated that she had been working for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for several months. Junejo stated that she was included in the UN delegation as an advisor by PM Shehbaz Sharif. She asserted that her policy briefs, advice, and suggestions during India-Pakistan tensions were part of the record. She claimed to have been tasked with writing the Prime Minister’s UN speech. She stated that she was given a security pass. She claimed to have worked with the team and was a part of several important meetings during the UNGA session. Junejo further stated that she sat with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar behind the Prime Minister at a climate conference. Junejo questioned why Khawaja Asif was making such statements and what agenda he was pursuing by undermining his own government’s historic visit. She suggested that the Prime Minister should address the matter, as it challenges his authority, and accused Asif and the Foreign Office of causing global embarrassment to Pakistan.