Introduction: A Photograph That Sparked a Firestorm
What was supposed to be a routine United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session turned into a political controversy that continues to dominate headlines in Pakistan and beyond. On September 25, 2025, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif addressed a UNSC debate on artificial intelligence during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The speech itself was overshadowed when cameras captured columnist and commentator Shama Junejo seated directly behind him.
The image might have gone unnoticed, but within hours, Pakistani social media erupted. Critics resurfaced years-old posts from Junejo’s social media feed that appeared sympathetic to Israel, questioning why she was seated in such a prominent position within Pakistan’s delegation. What began as an online debate soon transformed into a matter of national concern, pulling in ministers, diplomats, journalists, and activists.
Khawaja Asif’s Role and His Initial Explanation
Khawaja Asif, a veteran politician and one of Pakistan’s most senior ministers, was tasked with delivering Pakistan’s statement at the UNSC in place of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister was occupied with bilateral meetings during the UNGA.
In his initial reaction, Asif wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Junejo’s presence was arranged at the discretion of the Foreign Office (FO). He emphasized that his role was to represent Pakistan at the UNSC, not to manage the delegation’s composition. However, this clarification did not settle the debate. Instead, it raised new questions about the Foreign Office’s procedures.
The Foreign Office Disowns Responsibility
Late on September 27, the FO issued an official statement responding to the public uproar. While carefully avoiding Junejo’s name, it stated that the “individual seated behind the defence minister” was not part of Pakistan’s official UNGA delegation, as outlined in the letter of credence signed by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
The statement went further, clarifying that her seating behind Asif at the UNSC had not been authorised by senior officials. In effect, the FO disowned responsibility for her presence, leaving a glaring gap between the defence minister’s remarks and the FO’s version of events.
Asif’s Reaction: “Taken Aback” and Disturbed
In an interview on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, Asif admitted that he was surprised and disturbed by the FO’s distancing itself from the incident. He noted that it was unsettling to see someone seated with the delegation only for officials to later disclaim any knowledge or approval of their presence.
The minister stressed he had no personal connection with Junejo, aside from a casual photograph taken in a hotel lobby. He added that being photographed with strangers abroad was routine for politicians and should not be misconstrued.
More importantly, Asif reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause. He reminded viewers that he had spoken out against Israel for decades, forged personal ties with Palestinians during his career in Abu Dhabi, and continued to maintain those friendships. His consistent opposition to Zionism, he argued, was part of his political identity and faith.
Shama Junejo’s Counter-Narrative
Shama Junejo, facing mounting criticism online, went on the offensive. She shared screenshots of her recent posts condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, labelling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal, and highlighting atrocities against Palestinians.
She argued that the accusation of being “pro-Israel” was false and politically motivated. In her posts, she blamed supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) — whom she derogatorily referred to as “youthias” — for orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her credibility. “This campaign has been launched against me because they fear me,” she declared.
Junejo’s rebuttal sparked its own debate. While some viewed her as a victim of online trolling, others remained unconvinced, pointing to past statements that contradicted her present defence.
Political Reactions at Home
The incident triggered strong responses from prominent political and civil society figures:
- Shireen Mazari, former human rights minister, insisted that UN rules do not allow anyone to sit directly behind a minister without being formally listed as a delegate. She raised suspicions about hidden agendas, hinting at possible shifts in Pakistan’s Israel policy.
- Mehlaqa Samdani, peace and justice advocate, criticised the optics of allowing someone associated with “pro-normalisation” views to appear as part of Pakistan’s team, warning it could harm Pakistan’s diplomatic standing.
- Ahmad Noorani, senior journalist, defended Junejo, condemning the backlash as an unfair smear campaign and urging people not to equate differing views on diplomacy with disloyalty to Pakistan.
Broader Context: Pakistan’s Palestine Policy and Global Optics
For decades, Pakistan has positioned itself as a staunch supporter of Palestinian statehood, refusing to recognise Israel and consistently raising the issue in international forums. This consistent stance is not only rooted in foreign policy but also in domestic political sentiment, where support for Palestine runs deep across party lines.
Against this backdrop, the appearance of someone accused of pro-Israel sympathies seated in a delegation setting was bound to generate outrage. For many observers, it wasn’t merely a matter of seating arrangements but a potential challenge to Pakistan’s credibility on one of its core foreign policy positions.
Social Media’s Role: From Tweets to Diplomatic Crises
The Junejo controversy also reflects a broader trend: the ability of social media to shape political narratives and even disrupt diplomacy. In an era where digital footprints never disappear, old posts can resurface and overshadow present realities.
In this case, Junejo’s past tweets became ammunition for critics, while her defenders highlighted her more recent posts as evidence of her alignment with Palestine. The incident illustrates how social media archives now function as political battlegrounds, capable of sparking crises that reverberate far beyond the digital space.
Governance and Accountability: Key Questions
Beyond the personalities involved, the controversy exposes gaps in Pakistan’s diplomatic processes. Some of the pressing questions include:
- How did Shama Junejo gain access to the UNSC session in a position normally reserved for official delegates?
- Was her presence a matter of negligence, mismanagement, or deliberate inclusion by an individual with influence?
- Why were the defence ministry and the Foreign Office publicly contradicting each other instead of presenting a united front?
- What mechanisms exist to prevent such lapses in the future, especially at high-profile forums like the UN?
The answers to these questions will determine whether this remains a passing controversy or becomes a long-term reputational issue for Pakistan.
International Implications: More Than a Domestic Scandal
Globally, the incident matters for several reasons. First, it raises doubts about the professionalism and coordination of Pakistan’s diplomatic machinery. Second, it risks undermining Pakistan’s advocacy for Palestine, particularly at a time when global debates on the Israel-Palestine conflict are intensifying.
Third, it signals to international observers that Pakistan’s domestic political rivalries are bleeding into its foreign representation — a development that could weaken its credibility on global platforms.
Conclusion: Lessons From a Diplomatic Misstep
The Shama Junejo controversy may have started with a single photograph, but it has evolved into a cautionary tale about the intersection of politics, diplomacy, and digital culture. For Khawaja Asif, the episode highlights the challenges of navigating a fragmented political environment while upholding Pakistan’s foreign policy positions. For the Foreign Office, it exposes the need for stronger vetting, clearer communication, and better delegation management.
Ultimately, the episode underscores a simple but powerful lesson: in the age of global connectivity, even the smallest lapse in protocol can snowball into an international controversy. As Pakistan continues to champion the Palestinian cause on the world stage, it must ensure its delegation practices match its stated policies — or risk undermining decades of carefully crafted diplomatic credibility.
