The Foreign Office issues a statement clarifying Dr Shama Junejo’s role after backlash over her presence in Pakistan’s United Nations General Assembly delegation.
The Foreign Office (FO) clarified that "the individual in question was not listed in the official letter of credence for the Pakistan delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Session, signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. As such, her seating behind the Defence Minister did not have the approval of the Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted queries regarding the seating of a certain individual behind the Defence Minister at a recent meeting of the UNSC. To clarify, the individual in question was not listed in the official letter of credence for the Pakistan delegation to the… https://t.co/60w0te9hLX
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 26, 2025
Shama Junejo has been accused by individuals of being a supporter of Zionism and Israel, based on her past posts on X, where she voiced her regard for Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu.
Absolutely!
— Dr Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) July 11, 2023
I have been advocating on 🤝 between 🇵🇰 & 🇮🇱 for years. That's why I am devastated to see them backing the wrong horse Imran Khan. As a staunch advocate for 🇵🇰 recognising @Israel, it pains me that the focus is being misguided towards IK instead of prioritising the… https://t.co/5svI6h51MX
Former federal ministers Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry called out the government of Pakistan and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who she was seated behind, for allowing a supporter of Israel to be allowed to be a part of the Pakistan delegation.
Lying with such brazenness. @ForeignOfficePk issued her the credentials so knew exactly who she was. Your mission at UN in NYC gets list of the entire delegation. Such attempts at obfuscation and blatant lying won't make the issue rest. Time to come clean on this sordid affair! https://t.co/EdxJi1UEgs
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 27, 2025
The women accompanied Pak UN delegation has interesting history, she was primarily working for Raw incharge for JinnahPur project Anwer bhai, he was the one entrusted with Indian funding Waqas Goraya and Ahmad Noorani Raw assets, usually Anwer Bhai was received by Waqas Goraya… https://t.co/z5lF38eab4
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 26, 2025
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who has been a vocal proponent of the Palestinian cause, called out the Foreign Office in a post on X, demanding answers to how this individual was permitted to be there: "Who is this woman? Why is she with us in the delegation? And why was she seated behind me? Only the Foreign Office can answer these questions."
سلامتی کونسل میں یہ تقریر وزیر اعظم کیونکہ مصروف تھے اسلئے انکی جگہ یہ تقریر میں نے کی۔ یہ خاتون یا کس نے میرے پیچھے بیٹھنا ھے دفتر خارجہ کی صوابدید و اختیار تھا اور ھے۰ فلسطین کے مسئلہ کے ساتھ میرا 60 سال سے جذباتی لگاؤ اور کمٹمنٹ ھے۔ ابو ظہبی بینک میں ملازمت کے دوران فلسطینی… pic.twitter.com/FkyCHz4fYY
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) September 26, 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied with a statement, making clear that Shama Junejo was not an official part of the Pakistani delegation and that her seating did not have the approval of the Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. It is still unclear who permitted the seating arrangement.
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