Shama Junejo Challenges Khawaja Asif’s Denial of Her Role at UNGA

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif have denied knowledge of Dr. Shama Junejo, who was seen seated behind Asif during the United Nations General Assembly session. However, Junejo has now raised questions over the minister’s credibility, claiming she was formally part of the Pakistani delegation.

In a statement on X, Junejo said she had been working for months with the government and the prime minister, preparing policy briefs, advice, and talking points. According to her, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally assigned her the task of drafting his UNGA speech and made her part of the delegation, with her name listed as an adviser and a security pass issued accordingly.

Junejo asserted she worked day and night with the Pakistani team, stayed in the same hotel, and attended high-level sideline meetings, including one with Bill Gates, footage of which was broadcast on television.

She further claimed that during the climate conference she sat directly behind the prime minister alongside former finance minister Ishaq Dar, even as officials publicly denied she was part of the delegation.

Detailing another event, Junejo said the protocol team brought her to the AI conference, where she sat behind Khawaja Asif and worked closely with Bilal, who was preparing a new speech. After the address, she said the three had tea together, waited 40 minutes for a car, took more photos, and then travelled back to the hotel in the same vehicle, with Asif seated next to her in the back seat.

On the final day of the session, Junejo said she was present inside the UN alongside the entire delegation during the prime minister’s speech, with Khawaja Asif sitting in front of her as they applauded together.

Calling the address a product of teamwork, she said it was “not just my writing but the collective effort of all of us.” Junejo added her return flight had been pre-arranged and that the mission’s protocol staff personally escorted her to the airport.