Pakistan Issues Formal Demarche to UK Over Incitement to Violence Against Military Leadership

Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Incitement Claims

Pakistan has formally lodged a demarche with the United Kingdom, expressing grave concern over alleged incitement to violence against its military leadership originating from British soil. The diplomatic protest was delivered on Friday, December 26, 2025, to the UK's Acting High Commissioner in Islamabad, Matt Cannell.

The move by Pakistan's Foreign Office follows the circulation of a 'provocative video' on social media, particularly from the official X (formerly Twitter) account of PTI UK (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's UK chapter). The video reportedly showed a protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford, where inflammatory remarks, including a suggestion of using a car bomb, were made against Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces. Protesters in the footage were seen holding PTI flags.

Pakistan Demands Accountability Under International Law

Pakistani officials have unequivocally stated that the content of the video constitutes a clear violation of international norms and falls under the purview of the UK's Terrorism Act 2006. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry emphasized that this is not a matter of freedom of expression but rather one of incitement and terrorism, which contravenes British laws. Pakistan has urged the UK to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for using its territory to issue 'direct threats' against Pakistan's top military leadership. The Pakistani government has also shared the video footage and its transcripts with UK authorities in both Islamabad and London, highlighting the 'unprecedented misuse of British territory' for activities aimed at destabilizing a sovereign state.

UK Responds, Requests Evidence

In response to the demarche, the British High Commission has advised Pakistan to provide all relevant material to its police liaison. A spokesperson for the British High Commission clarified that law enforcement and prosecution services in the UK operate independently of the government. They stated that any material appearing to breach UK law will be reviewed by the police and may lead to a criminal investigation.

PTI UK Deletes Video, Cites 'Metaphorical Remarks'

Following the diplomatic pressure, the PTI UK chapter deleted the controversial video from its official X account. In a statement, PTI UK clarified that it does not endorse unlawful behavior of any kind and advised 'independent citizens' to 'measure their remarks to avoid any misunderstandings'. The party described the remarks in the video as 'metaphorical' and stated the post was removed 'in an abundance of caution to prevent potential misunderstanding'.