Pakistan Urges UK to Act Over Violent Threat Against Field Marshal Asim Munir at PTI Bradford event

Pakistan has formally urged the United Kingdom to take immediate action after a violent threat was made against Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir during a protest held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Bradford.

The protest was organised by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During the demonstration, a woman speaker was heard making threats that included references to killing the army chief in a car bomb attack.

Video Shared on Social Media

The footage was later uploaded on a social media account linked to PTI supporters in the UK. In the video, the speaker compares the threat to the 1988 plane crash that killed former military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq.

Pakistani authorities say the video was widely circulated online and viewed inside Pakistan, raising concerns about incitement to violence and possible unrest.

Formal Complaint to UK Authorities

The Government of Pakistan has submitted the video and its transcript to UK authorities in both London and Islamabad. In an official communication, Pakistan expressed “grave concern” over what it described as the misuse of British soil to promote violence against a senior military leader of a sovereign state.

The letter states that the statements made were not political slogans but direct calls for assassination, which amount to criminal incitement.

Legal Violations Highlighted

Pakistan’s complaint cites possible violations of international and British law, including:

• UN Security Council Resolution 1373, which requires states to prevent incitement to terrorism

• The UK Terrorism Act 2006, which criminalises encouragement and glorification of violence

• International principles that bar the use of one country’s territory to destabilise another

Concerns Over Cross-Border Incitement

Pakistani officials warned that such messages are deliberately aimed at audiences inside Pakistan to provoke street violence, disorder, and confrontation with state institutions.

The letter notes that concerns have previously been raised about individuals operating from the UK while promoting militant or violent agendas against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Demands

Pakistan has formally asked the UK government to:

• Identify and investigate those involved in issuing threats

• Take legal action against individuals and platforms promoting violence

• Examine the role of PTI-linked groups operating in the UK

• Ensure British territory is not used to incite violence in Pakistan

Call for Urgent Action

Pakistan stressed that freedom of expression does not include the right to incite murder or terrorism. It added that inaction would damage trust and cooperation between the two countries.

Officials said Pakistan values its relationship with the UK and expects the matter to be handled with urgency and in line with the rule of law.