Pakistan has formally raised serious concerns with the United Kingdom over threats made against Field Marshal Asim Munir. The threats surfaced during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest held outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford. The Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that it had issued a diplomatic demarche to the UK authorities. Officials stressed that such actions pose grave risks. They also warned that British soil should not be used to destabilise Pakistan.
According to the Foreign Office, the demarche was delivered to the UK’s Acting Head of Mission in Islamabad, Matt Cannell. The move followed alarming statements made during the protest earlier this week. Authorities took immediate notice. As a result, Pakistan conveyed its concerns through official diplomatic channels.
Foreign Office Confirms Diplomatic Protest
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed the development. He said Pakistan had lodged a formal protest with the UK envoy. The demarche addressed threats made against the Chief of Defence Forces. It also highlighted the misuse of overseas political activity.
Meanwhile, sources said British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was not in the country. Therefore, officials summoned Deputy Head of Mission Matt Cannell to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs around 2pm. The meeting reflected the seriousness of the matter. Pakistan wanted a clear response from London.
Earlier, Pakistani authorities shared evidence with UK officials. This included a video and its transcript. The material was handed over in Islamabad and London. Officials expressed grave concern over what they described as an unprecedented incident.
Video Shows Explicit Threats and Violent Language
According to sources, a video uploaded by the “UKPTIOFFICIAL” account shows disturbing content. In the footage, a woman speaker can be heard making a violent threat. She allegedly referenced a car bomb attack. The threat drew parallels to the deadly plane crash that killed General Zia ul Haq decades ago.
Furthermore, sources said protesters used highly provocative language during the demonstration. They allegedly issued death threats against Field Marshal Munir. Some chants reportedly claimed he would be targeted in a car bomb attack. Authorities described the language as dangerous and unacceptable.
In addition, officials said the PTI’s UK-based social media accounts helped mobilise protesters. The messaging, they added, went beyond political expression. Instead, it crossed into explicit threats of violence.
Pakistan Warns Against Misuse of UK Territory
The Pakistani government has taken strong notice of the incident. Sources said Islamabad made it clear that the UK must not allow its territory to be used against Pakistan’s stability. Officials urged British authorities to take strict legal action against those involved.
According to the official letter sent to UK authorities, the content amounted to incitement to terrorism. It also promoted violence and internal destabilisation of a sovereign state. The letter stated that individuals present in the UK openly called for assassination.
The government further warned that such content was deliberately amplified to audiences inside Pakistan. The intent, officials said, was to provoke unrest, street violence, and confrontation with state institutions.
Concerns Over Repeated Incitement From Abroad
The letter also highlighted a broader pattern. It said PTI-linked platforms operating from the UK have repeatedly encouraged agitation and disorder within Pakistan. As a result, these actions seek to trigger violence from abroad while avoiding accountability at home.
Officials noted that such activities violate multiple international laws. Pakistan has raised similar concerns in the past. These involved militancy, separatism, and violent agitation from foreign soil. However, sources said the current incident marks a dangerous escalation.
The letter stressed a clear principle. Freedom of expression does not include incitement to murder. Political activism does not justify violence. Moreover, political asylum does not grant immunity to promote terrorism or destabilisation abroad.
