Pakistan foreign ministry has falsely identified its Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua as the ‘state minister’ during the 45th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Dhaka.

A note verbale sent to Bangladesh foreign ministry on May 4 and seen by the Bangla Tribune, read “State Minister Tehmina Janjua” would attend the 45th OIC CFM meeting.

However, a press release issued by Pakistan High Commission on May 7 said, “The 45th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) was concluded in Dhaka on 6 May 2018. The Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.”

A senior government official said, “I have no idea why they identified their foreign secretary as state minister.”

In foreign relations, sometimes an official can be designated as ‘special envoy’ or foreign secretary can be elevated to the post of ‘state minister’ but it must be clearly mentioned that ‘for this event’ or ‘for this period’, he or she is holding the post, he explained.

“But, in this case she was clearly identified as state minister, which is a clear departure from regular practice,” he said.

The two-day 45th OIC CFM was concluded Sunday with adoption of Dhaka Declaration.

After the adoption, Pakistan Monday made reservation of para 18 of the draft and raised objection saying, “Just before the conclusion of the Conference, the host country circulated text of Dhaka Declaration. It only reflected the views of the host country, and therefore, issued under its own responsibility, signifying that the text was neither discussed nor negotiated by participating States. The Declaration is without prejudice to the well established positions of OIC member states and the organization, as enshrined in the CFM and Summit documents.”

In reply, Bangladesh also issued a press release Sunday night, “An original draft of the Dhaka Declaration was received from the general secretariat of the OIC. Subsequently, some additional paragraphs were suggested by some members states, OIC related organizations and the host country. The suggestions were included in the draft Declaration prior to its adoption by the Council. However, there was no amendment made to the original draft of para 18 concerning which Pakistan has made reservation.”