Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has once again found himself in controversy. A photo of him at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), sitting alongside a woman named Shama Junejo, went viral. Following the photo’s circulation, Pakistani social media users criticized him, labeling him as pro-Israel.

Shama Junejo is a Pakistan-origin activist known in Western countries for her pro-Israel stance. As soon as the photo of Khawaja Asif with her surfaced, opposition leaders and the public portrayed it as a sign of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government’s alleged “leaning towards Israel.” Many users commented that the Pakistani government is practicing double standards—on one hand supporting Palestine, while on the other associating with pro-Israel figures.

The anger against Khawaja Asif has intensified at a time when Pakistan is already facing severe economic and political challenges. People believe such incidents raise questions about the credibility of the country’s foreign policy.

So far, Khawaja Asif has not issued any official statement regarding the matter. Meanwhile, the opposition is continuously pressuring the Shehbaz Sharif government to clarify its position on the controversy.

In short, a single photograph has sparked a major political storm in Pakistan. It remains to be seen how Khawaja Asif and his government navigate this controversy.