PTI’s Sheikh Waqas clarifies that woman protesting in Bradford is not associated with the party
Shaikh Waqas Akram said that the first phase of the civil disobedience movement is ongoing and is aimed at Pakistanis living abroad. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government would not act against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) UK as an organisation, but would take legal action against specific individuals involved in incitement and threats, if necessary, under UK law, according to the Minister of State for Home Affairs.
“We will not go after PTI UK, but we will target the people involved,” Talal Chaudhry told The Express PAkGazette here, clarifying the government’s position while responding to questions about possible legal action in the UK.
Controversy arose after the now-deleted clip, uploaded from PTI UK’s verified account, showed a woman addressing protesters outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford and referring to the army chief in the context of a possible car bomb attack, language which the government said crossed the line from political criticism to suggestion of violence.
The Pakistani government formally raised the matter with the British authorities.
The move followed Islamabad’s decision to summon acting British High Commissioner Matt Cannell on Friday, where the Foreign Office delivered a statement condemning what it described as “incitement to violence” from British soil.
Pakistan urged London to investigate the incident and take legal action under British law.
Talal said Pakistan had already received a response from the UK authorities, who told it that if there was any actionable matter, the relevant material should be provided and it would be dealt with in accordance with UK law.
He reiterated that the issue was not related to freedom of expression or political disagreement. “This is not about expanding freedom of expression, nor about political consultation. Threats against the head of the army do not fall within freedom of expression,” he said, adding that there is no concept of absolute or uncontrolled freedom anywhere in the world.
Referring to international law, he said the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2006 and UN guidelines clearly prohibit the use of the land of a sovereign country for terrorism or to incite violent activities against another State. He added that such actions are also covered by the UN Charter.
The minister further highlighted the PTI’s record, including the events of May 9, stating that there was a documented history of incitement and violence linked to the party.
He warned that if UK authorities did not take action, Pakistan would seek legal solutions within the UK system. “This is not a trivial matter. It is a criminal matter that cannot be resolved through conviction alone and requires strict legal action,” Talal stressed.
Meanwhile, in a statement on X, PTI UK confirmed it had removed the video and described the woman’s comments as “metaphorical comments” about the army chief.
While the party said it did not believe the individual had directly called for violence, it said the content was removed “with an abundance of caution to avoid potential misunderstandings.”
Pakistani officials say the video and its transcript have been shared with British authorities, along with a formal complaint accusing the speaker and those who amplified the images of inciting terrorism and destabilization.
PTI UK stressed that it does not support illegal behavior and urged its followers to exercise restraint in public discourse. The Bradford protest was part of a series of demonstrations abroad organized by PTI supporters in solidarity with the party’s jailed founder Imran Khan, with slogans critical of Pakistan’s establishment.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram also clarified the party’s position, in a statement from PTI PTI is fundamentally and unequivocally opposed to violence, incitement, hate speech and the use of offensive language.”
While the original video has been removed, screenshots and reposted clips continue to circulate online and have been cited by Pakistani authorities in correspondence with London.
The episode adds to the already strained ties between the PTI and the establishment. It also reflects Islamabad’s broader effort to rein in foreign-based critics who attack state institutions, even as Britain weighs the extent to which diaspora political speech is protected before it triggers criminal scrutiny under anti-terrorism laws.
