Pakistan on Friday summoned the United Kingdom’s senior diplomat in Islamabad to lodge a formal protest over a demonstration held in Bradford near a Pakistani
consulate, during which what officials described as “provocative statements” were made against the country’s civil and military leadership.
According to the Foreign Office, Deputy Head of Mission Matt Kennel was called to the ministry at 2pm, where a demarche was issued expressing Islamabad’s concerns over the incident.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan had urged British authorities to take note of what it termed threats made on UK soil and to ensure that their territory is not used for activities that could destabilise Pakistan.
“The demarche was issued after provocative statements were made against Pakistan’s civil and military leadership from British soil,” Andrabi said, adding that the UK was asked to hold those responsible accountable under British law.
Officials said the government had earlier written to British authorities seeking action over statements made during the Bradford protest.
Minister of State for Home Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Kayani confirmed the move in separate statements to Geo News. Kayani said footage of the protest included a threat against the head of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Kayani also alleged the involvement of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while Chaudhry refrained from naming any political party.
A video circulating on social media shows a woman making a violent remark without naming an individual, surrounded by people holding PTI flags.
Responding to questions about the footage, Chaudhry said Pakistan had formally conveyed its concerns to the UK and expected action in accordance with British law.
Kayani said the remarks were unacceptable and claimed PTI had a history of using threats in political activity.
Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government would seek the return from the UK of YouTubers accused of targeting state institutions. Photo by Betty Longbottom / Consulate of Pakistan - Moorside Road, Laisterdyke / CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia commons.