UK to Pakistan: provide proof of crime’ after Bradford protest controversy

ISLAMABAD: The British High Commission in Islamabad has said that the UK police and prosecution services operate independently of the government.

Its spokesperson said that if any foreign government believes a crime has been committed on UK soil, it should provide all relevant evidence through the police liaison officer in the UK.

“Any material found to violate UK law will be reviewed by police, who can then launch a criminal investigation based on that evidence.”

The response came after Pakistan strongly protested to the Acting British High Commissioner over serious threats made against Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a protest in Bradford, UK.

Islamabad issued a formal demarche to express its grave concern over the incident.

According to the Foreign Office, a video uploaded on the official PTI UK X account showed a woman at the protest making violent threats — including a reference to a car bomb attack against Field Marshal Munir.

The protest was organised near the Pakistani consulate in Bradford, and the language used was described by officials as provocative and objectionable.

Pakistan has maintained that such actions go beyond freedom of expression and amount to incitement to terrorism and violence.

It has formally asked the British authorities to investigate and take action against those involved, emphasising that the UK should not allow its territory to be used to destabilise Pakistan.

State ministers have reiterated that the video constitutes a violation of international norms and UK law, including provisions against incitement and encouragement of terrorism. Pakistan delivered the video and its transcript to UK officials in both Islamabad and London and expects appropriate legal steps under British legislation