It took just four seconds and one sentence for Pakistan to face an embarrassing moment at the United Nations. The spicy exchange happened during a UN session on Israel’s recent attack in Qatar that targeted Hamas leadership.
Hillel Neuer, a human rights lawyer and executive director of UN Watch, accused Qatar of harbouring terrorists and called it a state sponsor of terror. He reminded the gathering that Hamas has operated a political office in Qatar since 2012. Neuer also criticized the UN chief for condemning Israel, pointing out that when the US killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011, the then UN Secretary-General had declared, “Justice has been done.”
Angered by the reference to bin Laden and Pakistan, a Pakistani delegate interrupted Neuer’s speech. The delegate asked the UNHRC chair to stop “unfounded accusations” and said Pakistan rejected the allegations.
The UNHRC chair gave Neuer four seconds to finish. He used them sharply: “Mr President, Pakistan is another state sponsor of terror.” The remark left the Pakistani delegate visibly embarrassed.
This was not the first time UN Watch roasted Pakistan. In 2020, it mocked Pakistan’s seat on the UN Human Rights Council, calling it “tolerable” after Pakistan’s controversial remarks on blasphemy.
