British Deputy Head of Mission Summoned to Foreign Office, Demarche Issued over Bradford Protest

**Islamabad:** The British Deputy Head of Mission, Matt Cannell, was summoned to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a formal protest was lodged over an incident that occurred in the United Kingdom.

According to diplomatic sources, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was not present in the country at the time; therefore, the Foreign Office issued a demarche to the acting British High Commissioner. The demarche was conveyed in connection with a protest held outside the Pakistani Consulate in the British city of Bradford.

Sources stated that an official social media account of a political party was allegedly used to mobilize protesters in the UK. During the protest, demonstrators reportedly used highly provocative and objectionable language against the Chief of Defence Forces. It was further alleged that threats were made against the life of the Field Marshal, including calls for his killing through a car bomb attack.

The sources said that the Government of Pakistan has taken serious notice of these threats issued from British soil and stressed that the UK should ensure its territory is not used to destabilize Pakistan.

Pakistan has expressed the expectation that the British authorities will take strict action against those involved in such activities and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain also confirmed that a demarche had been issued to the British acting Head of Mission in this regard.