Islamabad/London: The British High Commission has responded to a formal demarche issued by Pakistan following protests outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford, stating that if Pakistan believes a crime has been committed on British soil, it must provide concrete evidence to the relevant UK authorities. The response underlines the United Kingdom’s position that law enforcement and prosecution bodies operate independently of the government and act strictly in accordance with British law.
According to official sources, Pakistan summoned the British Deputy Head of Mission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lodged a strong demarche over the protest held in Bradford, during which alleged threats were made against Pakistan’s Army Chief. Following this diplomatic move, the British High Commission formally reacted, seeking substantiated proof of any alleged criminal activity.
A spokesperson for the British High Commission, while commenting on the Pakistani demarche, said that in the United Kingdom, the police and prosecution services function independently of the government and are not influenced by political considerations. The spokesperson emphasized that the UK upholds the rule of law and due process in all such matters.
The British High Commission further stated that if any foreign government suspects that a crime has been committed on UK territory, the appropriate course of action is to submit evidence to the police through established liaison mechanisms. Any material provided would then be assessed by British law enforcement agencies in accordance with domestic laws and legal procedures.
The spokesperson added that if evidence of a violation of British law emerges, criminal investigations may be initiated. Each case, the statement stressed, is dealt with strictly under the UK’s legal framework, without discrimination or political bias.
This response comes after Pakistan formally conveyed its serious concerns to the British government through a written communication. In its letter, Islamabad reportedly demanded action against certain social media accounts linked to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which it claims are circulating videos containing threats to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff. The Pakistani government urged British authorities to take immediate action against individuals and accounts allegedly operating from UK territory that, according to Pakistan, are promoting terrorism, violence, and instability within Pakistan.
According to Pakistani sources, these threats were made during a PTI protest held in Bradford, where demonstrators gathered outside the Pakistani Consulate. Videos from the protest later surfaced on social media platforms, prompting outrage in Pakistan and leading the government to raise the matter through diplomatic channels.
Following the incident, the British Deputy Head of Mission was summoned to the Foreign Office in Islamabad, where officials lodged a formal protest and conveyed Pakistan’s strong objections. The demarche reportedly emphasized that allowing such activities on British soil could undermine bilateral relations and contribute to instability in Pakistan.
Sources within the Pakistani government say that Islamabad has taken a serious view of the threats allegedly issued from the UK. Officials have stressed that Pakistan expects Britain to ensure that its territory is not used for activities aimed at destabilizing Pakistan or inciting violence and terrorism.
The Pakistani side has argued that freedom of expression should not be used as a cover for hate speech, incitement to violence, or threats against state officials. Islamabad maintains that such actions cross legal and ethical boundaries and require firm intervention by host governments.
On the other hand, the British response reflects the UK’s long-standing position on the separation of powers, particularly the independence of law enforcement agencies. British authorities have consistently maintained that while the government can facilitate cooperation and information-sharing, decisions on investigations and prosecutions rest solely with the police and judicial system.
Diplomatic observers note that the exchange highlights a recurring tension between concerns over transnational political activism and differing legal standards regarding free speech and criminal liability. While Pakistan is seeking decisive action, the UK insists on adherence to its legal processes, requiring verifiable evidence before any steps can be taken.
Analysts believe that the matter is likely to proceed through legal and police-to-police channels rather than political ones. Any further progress will depend on whether Pakistan provides evidence that meets the threshold required under British law for criminal investigation.
For now, both sides appear keen to manage the issue within diplomatic norms. However, the episode has once again drawn attention to the challenges faced by states in addressing alleged cross-border threats in an era of digital media, diaspora politics, and transnational activism, where actions in one country can have serious political and security implications in another.
