The 80th United Nations General Assembly was not just a diplomatic summit—it was a global media spectacle. Each year, the big question for the Pakistani delegation is what can be achieved from this global platform beyond photo-ops with dignitaries and the customary addresses at a forum that seems to have lost its ability to find meaningful solutions for many global crises.
Pakistan’s delegation, led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, arrived this year amidst a more upbeat environment following the recent tensions with India and the lavish praise the country had received from former US President Donald Trump. The delegation conveyed a message of moral clarity, strategic ambiguity, and assertive symbolism.
The Prime Minister’s speech at the UN General Assembly was emotionally charged and rhetorically bold. He condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, reaffirmed support for Kashmir, and praised Donald Trump for brokering peace with India. These optics were designed to position Pakistan as a moral voice for the Muslim world.
However, the praise for Trump sounded somewhat out of place and raised questions about strategic coherence. Sharif’s speech seemed more tailored to domestic audiences than reflective of a clear foreign policy agenda. If the country is aiming for a new position on the rapidly changing global diplomatic chessboard, it was not immediately clear.
Sharif’s address and his subsequent meeting with Donald Trump received moderate coverage in American media. Most of the reporting came from international and diaspora-focused outlets rather than mainstream US networks. Coverage largely focused on the symbolism of the meeting and its context within broader diplomatic efforts to address the Gaza crisis.
There was no major commentary or analysis from leading US outlets like CNN, The New York Times, or The Washington Post, suggesting that the event was not a top-tier diplomatic priority in American media narratives.
### Controversy in the Delegation
Some members of the contingent accompanying the Prime Minister raised slogans from the gallery during sessions. This violation of United Nations norms earned them the ire of other delegates and was considered in bad taste. UN security officials have since launched an investigation into how these individuals gained access and why slogans tied to Pakistan’s internal politics were voiced in such a formal diplomatic setting.
The United Nations General Assembly maintains strict protocol, especially in the visitors’ gallery, which is accessible only through passes issued by member states’ diplomatic missions.
### The Case of Dr. Shama Junejo
The presence of Dr. Shama Junejo—a UK-based columnist and social media activist—at the 80th UNGA session as part of Pakistan’s delegation sparked controversy. Her seating directly behind Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a United Nations Security Council session on artificial intelligence drew social media commentary and raised important questions: How did an individual not officially listed in the delegation’s letter of credence gain such proximity to Pakistan’s top diplomatic representatives?
Denials from officials did little to clarify the situation, especially as Junejo claimed she had been formally included by Prime Minister Sharif and had contributed to drafting his UNGA speech. This episode highlighted concerns about communication and coordination within Pakistan’s diplomatic institutions. In international forums like the UNGA, seating arrangements and delegation composition are tightly regulated.
### Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s Media Spotlight
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was the only senior official from the Pakistani delegation to give a direct interview to a Western media outlet that received wide circulation and discussion. Both CNN and Al Jazeera focused on his interview with Mehdi Hasan, which became a flashpoint in Pakistani mainstream and social media.
The interview was tense and confrontational. Mehdi Hasan asked pointed questions, and Khawaja Asif struggled to defend hybrid governance and appeared to contradict himself on issues like the country’s administration, the validity of the upcoming 2024 elections, and Imran Khan’s social media activity.
The interview sparked an intense debate on social media, especially regarding civil-military relations and the treatment of Imran Khan. CNN’s Becky Anderson fact-checked Asif’s claims during the interview, pointing out a lack of evidence. This exchange was typical of journalistic scrutiny and political deflection—Hasan sought to expose contradictions, while Asif’s responses revealed entrenched challenges facing Pakistan’s democratic evolution.
### Diplomatic Optics and Media Narratives
The day was saved by visuals from the meeting at the Oval Office, where Pakistan’s civil-military leaders met with the US president, secretary of state, and other high-ranking officials. Although the White House did not issue an official readout of the meeting, President Trump made brief remarks, expressing strong praise for the Pakistani leaders.
Critics on social media were vocal, but a majority of mainstream Pakistani media framed Pakistan’s UNGA presence as a diplomatic victory, emphasizing Sharif’s strong speech and the meetings with Trump and leaders of other Islamic countries. The tone overall was celebratory.
### Conclusion: A Bold but Brittle Campaign
Pakistan’s UNGA 2025 campaign was bold but brittle. The delegation commanded attention but struggled to maintain coherence under intense scrutiny. While the optics were emotionally resonant, the strategic messaging appeared inconsistent.
Social media added yet another layer, with viral moments, hashtags, and influencer narratives shaping perceptions far beyond the UN floor. Pakistani leaders, and audiences back home, are slowly coming to terms with the realities of new media—where narratives are shaped well beyond the traditional editorial controls of mainstream outlets.
In the age of global diplomacy, optics are not just about visibility—they are also about credibility, coherence, and control.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348316-pakistans-bold-yet-brittle-moment
