United Nations, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistani journalist Jahanzaib Ali, who drew a sharp response from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the United Nations, had previously been involved in a confrontation with other reporters at the White House, according to the source material.
Ali questioned Jaishankar on Friday about India’s alleged role in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan after Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti spoke to reporters about the safety of ships and seafarers.
“A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on,” Jaishankar responded. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, then told Ali that he had received his answer. Ali later posted a video of the exchange on social media.
The journalist is also reported to have been involved in a confrontation with other White House correspondents during a news conference by US President Donald Trump on April 6.
According to the account, several reporters had waited for more than two hours to secure positions in the crowded James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, following the customary first-come, first-served practice. Around 15 minutes before Trump was due to speak, Ali allegedly moved ahead of reporters who had already secured their places, prompting objections.
Veteran White House correspondent April Ryan reportedly asked Ali to move back, while a senior member of the White House press office also intervened during the dispute. The Daily Beast reported on the confrontation the following day and quoted Ryan as telling Ali, “Go to the back!” White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang was also reported to have attempted to restore order.
The incident occurred before Trump entered the briefing room.
According to information cited in the source, Ali’s White House press pass was later revoked. The source also says he was no longer a member of the White House Correspondents’ Association or the National Press Club, although his public social media profile continues to describe him as a member of both organisations. His current membership status and the reasons for the reported revocation of his pass could not be independently established.
Ali is the Washington bureau chief of ARY News and regularly covers US foreign policy and Pakistan-US relations.
The UN exchange took place during an interaction following remarks on an India-Liberia initiative concerning threats to commercial shipping and seafarers. Ali’s question shifted the discussion to India-Pakistan relations, prompting Jaishankar’s brief response.
FOLLOW NOW
