Pakistan has lodged a formal protest with the United Kingdom after threatening remarks were made during a demonstration in Bradford against Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir. British Deputy High Commissioner Matt Kennel was summoned and issued a diplomatic demarche, according to officials.
Citing agency reports, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the demarche was delivered to register concern over statements that targeted the country’s civil and military leadership. Islamabad urged British authorities to take notice of the comments, which it said could contribute to “destabilising” Pakistan, and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
The protest in Bradford drew attention after a video circulated online in which a woman, without naming anyone, appeared to wish harm on a senior figure believed to be Asim Munir. She was seen among participants carrying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flags, the party led by former prime minister Imran Khan.
Ministers Talal Chaudhry (Interior) and Bilal Kayani (Finance) confirmed the development to Geo News, with Kayani stating that the remarks effectively amounted to a threat against the head of the armed forces. Calling the incident “unacceptable” and “unfortunate,” Kayani accused PTI of promoting threats and violence under the banner of politics and of misusing freedom of expression.
Chaudhry added that Pakistan has formally requested the UK government to take action consistent with its laws and justice system. Earlier, Islamabad had also written to British authorities, seeking steps against those who delivered inflammatory speeches during the protest.
In a related context, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently said that the government plans to repatriate certain YouTubers based in the UK who have allegedly targeted state institutions online.
The Pakistani government maintains that rhetoric encouraging violence against national leaders cannot be ignored and has called for cooperation from the United Kingdom to address the matter.