The British government is being urged to take strict action against those who threatened to attack the army chief.
The Foreign Office on Friday summoned the deputy head of the British mission and lodged a formal protest over recent anti-government demonstrations in Bradford. The protests, held near the Pakistani consulate, included provocative rhetoric and violent threats against Pakistani leaders.
According to sources, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s political account in the UK was used to mobilize protesters. During the demonstration, inflammatory language was used against Defense Forces Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Pakistan has taken serious note of these threats and has demanded that the United Kingdom prevent its soil from being used to destabilize Pakistan.
The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the seriousness of the situation. Pakistan has asked the British government to take strict action against those responsible and hold them accountable under the law. The Foreign Office statement underlined that such actions directly contravene international standards and UK counter-terrorism laws.
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UK counter-terrorism laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act 2006, make clear that encouraging terrorism is a serious offence. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 obliges states to prevent terrorism, including incitement and financial support for such acts. The rally, organized by elements linked to the PTI, has raised concerns about misuse of British territory for anti-Pakistan rhetoric.
On December 23, the official PTI account X published a highly inflammatory video, which showed protesters in Bradford openly threatening Field Marshal Munir. This rhetoric is not a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or political dissent, but rather constitutes incitement to terrorism. It is deeply worrying that the PTI’s social media platforms shared this incitement, further spreading the violent message.
The British government’s failure to address this issue could be seen as a breach of international law. Pakistan has expressed serious concern over the use of British soil for such harmful activities, urging the UK to fulfill its obligations under international counter-terrorism conventions. Pakistan has demanded that the people involved in this protest be identified and legal action be taken against them after thorough investigations.
