The Foreign Office withdraws from the Shama Junejo controversy

After journalist Shama Junejo’s attendance at Pakistan’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting sparked intense online discussion, the Foreign Office (FO) has attempted to disassociate itself from the matter.

“The person in question was not listed in the official letter of credence for the Pakistan delegation to the 80th UNGA session, signed by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister,” the FO stated in an explanation released on X late Friday night, without mentioning Junejo.

“As such, her seating behind the defence minister did not have the approval of the deputy prime minister/foreign minister,” said the statement.

On September 25, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif spoke at a UNSC artificial intelligence session, sparking the uproar. Images from the occasion, which showed Junejo sitting behind the minister, quickly went viral on the social media site X. Several of her earlier posts that were purportedly pro-Israel were also unearthed by users, drawing harsh condemnation.

Asif clarified the situation by stating that he had addressed the meeting in lieu of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was attending the 80th session of the UNGA but had other commitments.

“This woman or whoever sat behind me was and is at the discretion of the Foreign Office,” Asif informed the press. Recalling his contacts and connections with Palestinians from his time in Abu Dhabi, he emphasized his longstanding and personal dedication to the Palestinian cause.

“For the past 60 years, I have had an emotional attachment and personal commitment to Palestine,” stated the minister. “I openly and clearly state my opinions on Gaza. I despise Zionism and Israel.

“Who is this woman, why was she sitting behind me, and why is she with the delegation? These inquiries can only be answered by the FO. I shouldn’t reply on their behalf since it is inappropriate.

He cited his X record as evidence of his religiously motivated support for Palestine.

Junejo herself took to X in response to the commotion, sharing screenshots of her most recent remarks against Gaza. She stated, “Youthias are calling me a Zionist when for the past two years I have tweeted about Gaza almost daily, calling [Israeli PM] Netanyahu a war criminal and showing Israeli atrocities,” using a phrase that is frequently used to disparage PTI members.

“Once again, this entire campaign has been launched against me because they only fear me,” she said.

Reactions to the episode came from a wide range of civic and political backgrounds. “One could not sit behind a minister in the UNSC or the United Nations General Assembly unless they were identified as an official representative of the government,” claimed Shireen Mazari, a former minister of human rights.

“So, why and by whom was this permitted to occur? Are the Abraham Accords, Bagram Base, and rogue entity Israel part of a secret policy agenda? GoP must be honest. Who bears the blame?