Pakistani Delegation Faces Backlash Over Researcher’s Presence at UNGA

The Pakistani government is facing mounting criticism after a London-based researcher, accused of having pro-Israel views, was spotted as part of Islamabad’s delegation during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week.

Videos and images circulating on social media showed Dr. Shama Junejo seated directly behind Defense Minister Khawaja Asif during a Security Council debate. Her presence triggered widespread outrage among Pakistanis, given the country’s unwavering support for Palestine and its refusal to recognize Israel.

Asif, in response to the backlash, took to X on Friday to reiterate his support for Palestine and said he did not know the woman in question. He added that the composition of official delegations falls under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, the ministry denied authorizing Junejo’s attendance. “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,” the ministry said in a statement on X on Saturday. “Her seating behind the Defense Minister did not have the approval of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister.”

The clarification did little to ease public anger. By Saturday, the ministry’s post had been viewed more than 1.3 million times, with thousands of users questioning the explanation and demanding greater transparency. Many highlighted Junejo’s past statements praising Israel and her claim, in a now-deleted post, that she had been working as an adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif since May 2025.

Junejo has previously been photographed with Sharif, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Defense Minister Asif. In a 2022 social media post, she described the prospect of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “an honor,” though she later claimed she walked out of the UNGA session during Netanyahu’s address on Friday.

The controversy has sparked political fallout at home. Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser accused both the foreign ministry and the defense minister of concealing the truth. He demanded clarity on how Junejo traveled from London to New York aboard a government jet, sat in official Pakistani seating at the UN, and gained access to high-level meetings.

“These questions are extremely important,” Qaiser said. “Most importantly, she has been meeting Israeli diplomats and is known for her support of Israel. This is an extremely grave situation that the Prime Minister himself must explain.”

Pakistan, which has consistently advocated for an independent Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders, reaffirmed its stance at the UNGA, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated support for Palestinian rights.

Yet the uproar over Junejo’s presence has cast a shadow over Islamabad’s diplomatic delegation, raising fresh questions about transparency, protocol, and accountability in government representation at international forums.