The Foreign Office (FO) has strongly condemned the increasing racist and Islamophobic comments directed at the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.
FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan made the remarks on Monday during a weekly press conference in Islamabad, expressing concern over recent public discourse surrounding the British Pakistani community.
The statement came after a controversial debate sparked by Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, who targeted the Pakistani community in the UK, referring to them in relation to “Asian grooming gangs”.
Musk also accused the UK government of protecting these gangs, calling UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a “rape genocide apologist” and calling for his imprisonment.
The situation escalated further when Priyanka Chaturvedi, leader of India’s Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, demanded that the term “Pakistani grooming gangs” be used instead of “Asian grooming gangs.” Musk expressed his support for her comments by replying “true” to her tweet.
Khan condemned the politicized narrative aimed at linking the actions of a few individuals to the entire British Pakistani diaspora of 1.7 million people.
He stressed that such rhetoric only fuels racism and Islamophobia, further marginalizing a community that has contributed significantly to the development of the United Kingdom.
Khan also reminded the audience of the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, characterized by warmth, trust and cooperation, cultivated over decades. He highlighted the vital role of British Pakistanis in the UK economy and culture.
The FO spokesperson highlighted the historical contribution of British Pakistanis, noting that many Muslim soldiers from what is now Pakistan served in the British Indian Army during both world wars, fighting for democracy.
Khan concluded by stressing that demonizing an entire community for the actions of a few individuals is unacceptable and must be condemned. He reiterated that British Pakistanis remain a vital part of the fabric of the United Kingdom, enriching its culture and contributing to its success.
