ISLAMABAD: The diplomatic protection unit of the Metropolitan Police in London is trying to address the security concerns of people working at the Pakistan High Commission after a violent protest took place outside the facility last month, local media reported on Wednesday.
The Pakistani diplomatic mission in London was vandalized by Afghan protestors on May 23 who threw water bottles and stones at the building.
According to media reports, the Afghan protestors were angry with the ongoing peace process in their country and shouted anti-Pakistan slogans during the demonstration.
Some of them also gathered outside the Qatar embassy but remained peaceful over there.
"We are in touch with the embassy and addressing their concerns directly," a police spokesperson told Geo News in London. "We would not discuss matters of operational security with those outside of the diplomatic mission."
Geo News reported that the Pakistan High Commission had "shared video footage of the damage with the UK authorities, requesting security arrangements similar to the ones granted to the Israeli and Indian embassies in London."
It also quoted an unknown UK government spokesperson as saying that the security of the Pakistani diplomatic mission was of "paramount importance" to the UK authorities.
UK authorities say security of Pakistan's diplomatic mission of 'paramount importance'
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UK authorities say security of Pakistan's diplomatic mission of 'paramount importance'
- The Pakistan High Commission in London came under attack by Afghan protestors last month who were angry with the ongoing peace process in their country
- Reports indicate Pakistani diplomats have requested the same security arrangements that are made to protect the Israeli and Indian embassies in London
Pakistan urges UN Security Council to sanction separatist BLA group after recent attacks
- Separatist BLA launched attacks in multiple Balochistan cities last week, killing over 50 as per official figures
- Pakistan envoy says since Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, BLA, other militant groups have a “new lease of life“
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Iftikhar Ahmed this week urged the Security Council to impose sanctions against the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militant group and designate it as a “terrorist” group, after its recent coordinated attacks in southwestern Balochistan province.
Pakistan’s military said on Thursday it has concluded security operations in Balochistan against separatists that was launched since Jan. 29, killing 216 militants. The military launched counteroffensive operations in Balochistan after the BLA said it launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the province last Friday and Saturday.
The attacks killed 36 civilians and 22 law enforcement and security forces personnel, Pakistan’s military said. Pakistan’s government has accused India of being involved in the attacks, charges that New Delhi has dismissed.
“We hope the Council will act swiftly to designate BLA under the 1267 sanctions regime acceding to the listing request that is currently under consideration,” Iftikhar said on Wednesday during a UNSC briefing on the topic ‘Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts.’
The 1267 sanctions regime is a UNSC program that seeks to impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with “terrorism.”
The regime seeks to impose travel bans, freeze assets and impose an arms embargo on individuals and groups primarily associated with Al-Qaeda or the Taliban.
Ahmad said that after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, “externally sponsored and foreign-funded proxy terrorist groups” such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the BLA have got a “new lease of life.”
“Operating with virtual impunity from Afghan soil and with the active support of our eastern neighbor, these groups are responsible for heinous terrorist attacks inside Pakistan,” he said.
The Pakistani envoy said it has become imperative to prevent billions of dollars of sophisticated weapons and equipment, which were left behind by foreign forces in Afghanistan, “from falling into the hands of terrorists.”
“There must be accountability of external destabilizing actors who support, finance and arm these groups, including their proxies in Afghanistan,” Ahmad said in a veiled reference to India.
Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, mineral-rich Balochistan borders Iran and Afghanistan and is home to China’s investment in the Gwadar deep-water port and other projects.
Balochistan has been the site of a decades-long insurgency led by ethnic Baloch separatists seeking greater autonomy and a larger share of its natural resources.
They accuse the state of denying locals a fair share of the province’s mineral wealth, charges that are denied by the Pakistani government.
