A fresh diplomatic row has erupted between Pakistan and the United Kingdom following a controversial protest rally in the city of Bradford. The incident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, involved threatening remarks made by a woman that were widely perceived as targeting Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir.
Controversial Video Sparks Outrage
The controversy stems from a video clip that went viral on various social media platforms. The footage captured a woman addressing a crowd at a rally organized to show support for Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, Imran Khan. Participants at the gathering were seen holding flags of Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In the video, the woman is heard making a threatening statement that was interpreted by many as a direct threat to General Asim Munir. The specific remark, "Blown Up In A Car," caused immediate uproar. The rally was held shortly after an Islamabad court sentenced Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison in a case concerning state gifts.
Interestingly, the video was initially shared by the PTI's official UK chapter on its social media channels but was removed shortly after being posted.
Pakistan's Diplomatic Response
In response to the incident, the Pakistani government took swift diplomatic action. The Foreign Office in Islamabad summoned the British Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, Matt Kennel, to formally lodge a protest.
Pakistan issued a strong demarche to the UK diplomat, urging the British authorities to take immediate and serious note of the inflammatory and threatening remarks made during the protest rally on UK soil. The demarche emphasized the need for the UK government to take necessary action against those involved in making threats against a high-ranking official of a sovereign state.
Broader Implications and Context
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding Imran Khan and his party, both within Pakistan and among the diaspora abroad. Protests by PTI supporters have been a regular occurrence in various countries since Khan's arrest and subsequent convictions.
The summoning of a senior British diplomat underscores the seriousness with which Pakistan views threats against its military leadership. It also tests the diplomatic waters between the two nations, raising questions about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of host countries regarding activities on their soil that target foreign officials.
As of now, there has been no official public statement from the UK government regarding the specific threat or the demarche issued by Pakistan. The situation continues to develop, with observers watching for any further diplomatic or legal repercussions.
