 Their father hailed from Multan, in present-day Pakistan, while their mother was born in Fiji.On 5 January 2007 Shameem published a report defending the December 2006 military coup, alleging that the previous government of Laisenia Qarase had committed human rights violations and crimes against humanity.She maintained that the 2006 elections were unlawful, and supported claims that Australia had intended to invade Fiji.