Pakistan summons UK deputy head of mission over Bradford protest

Pakistan summoned the United Kingdom’s Deputy Head of Mission, Matt Cannell, to the Foreign Office to lodge a protest over a recent incident in the UK.

According to sources, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was not in the country at the time, due to which the Foreign Office issued a demarche to the Acting High Commissioner.

The demarche relates to a protest held outside the Pakistani Consulate in the British city of Bradford.

Sources said that an official account of a political party was used to mobilise protesters in the UK. During the protest, demonstrators used highly provocative and objectionable language against the Chief of Defence Forces.

They also issued death threats against the Field Marshal, including calls for him to be killed in a car bomb attack.

Sources added that the Government of Pakistan has taken serious notice of these threats issued from British soil and stressed that the UK must ensure its territory is not used to destabilise Pakistan.

Pakistan expressed hope that the British authorities would take strict action against those involved and hold them accountable under the law.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain confirmed that a demarche was issued to the UK’s Acting Head of Mission.