ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Saturday distanced itself from the nomination of Dr Shama Junejo as the official delegate of Pakistan 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.”
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.
Former federal ministers Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry criticized the government of Pakistan and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who was seated behind Mazari, for permitting a supporter of Israel to be a part of the Pakistan delegation.
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.”
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.
