Pak High Commission faces another violent protest

LONDON: The Pakistan High Commission (PHC), London has borne the brunt of a violent protest again within a month as a group of protesters threatened to burn down the building and take off Pakistan’s flag from the premises.

During a protest organised by the National Equality Party Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh (NEP-JKGBL), one protester, marching towards the entry door of the PHC, was recorded on video as saying: “We can burn down this building.”

In a series of tweets, NEP-JKGBL Chairman Sajjad Raja wrote that the PHC called their “agents to disrupt the peaceful protest and the protesters were also threatened, harassed and verbally abused”.

But the video clip, circulated by protesters, shows that some community members, who were visiting the premises for consular services, confronted the protesters outside the building. But the person who was actually threatened with violence was a security person of the PHC who had asked the protesters to stay within the allotted place for the protesters.

One visitor told this reporter that he was threatened with violence by three protesters. “I was verbally abused and threatened with violence. When I asked the protesters why, they wanted to burn down the Pakistan High Commission building and Pakistani flag. I raised slogans in favour of Pakistan for the obvious reason that it’s my country’s flag that was under attack. I was there to get my identity papers done, I have nothing to do with the PHC staff,” he said.

Videos circulating on social media show that one protest leader threw his fist very close to the face of a visitor who raised the slogan in favour of Pakistan. The protesters left the demarcated area for protest and went across the road to hurl threats against visitors from Pakistani community.

A source at the Pakistan High Commission said the threatening behaviour of the protesters obstructed the normal functions of the High Commission. The source confirmed that police was initially present but then left, and after that harassment and threats started.

He shared: “PHC has reported to the police and demanded strict action. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is also being informed.”

This is the second time the PHC has faced violence. A month ago a group of Afghan-origin protesters threw stones and water bottles at the building. The Metropolitan Police service said a complaint has been made.

NEP-JKGBL Chairman Sajjad Raja said harsh words were used at the protest but he said the protesters were provoked. He said his party does not believe in violence.