Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed public criticism regarding Shama Junejo. The criticism stemmed from her presence behind Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a United Nations Security Council session.
Many individuals on social media expressed their anger, claiming that Junejo had made pro-Israel statements. This resulted in an official explanation.
The Foreign Office said Junejo was not part of Pakistan’s official delegation to the 80th UN General Assembly. The letter of credence, signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, did not include her name. The ministry said her seating was not approved.
Junejo denied supporting Israel. She pointed to her posts on X, where she criticised Israeli actions in Gaza. “For two years, I have tweeted almost every day, calling Netanyahu a war criminal and exposing Israeli attacks,” she said. She shared evidence to support her claims.
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, 2025Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also distanced himself from the issue. On X, he asked, “Who is this woman? Why was she in our delegation? Why was she seated behind me?” He said only the Foreign Office could provide an explanation.
This incident, as seen by 60% of Pakistanis who use social media (DataReportal, 2025), highlights the public’s sensitivity to diplomatic matters. Junejo’s presence at the Security Council led to debates about protocol and how people see Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office gave a quick response. Junejo defended her views. But questions remain about who allowed her to be part of the delegation. We will continue to monitor developments on this diplomatic issue.
