ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has come under public scrutiny over the presence of a researcher in Islamabad’s delegation at this week’s UN General Assembly in New York, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied approving her attendance.
Dr. Shama Junejo, a Pakistani researcher based in London, was seen sitting behind Defense Minister Khawaja Asif during a Security Council debate this week in videos and photos that have since gone viral on social media, with critics highlighting Junejo’s track record of supporting Israel.
Given Pakistan’s staunch support of Palestine, Junejo’s presence near Asif at the UN caused an uproar among Pakistanis, prompting the minister to reaffirm his support for Palestine in a post on X on Friday.
He said he did not know the woman sitting behind him in the footage, but that her presence would have been authorized at the discretion of the foreign ministry.
“To clarify, the individual 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,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X on Saturday.
