ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has lodged a report with the British police over the alleged death threat and abuses hurled at him during a train ride in London, the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom said on Thursday.
A viral video surfaced on social media a day earlier, showing an unidentified man hurling abuses at the Pakistani minister in the native Punjabi language, saying, “Take him away before someone stabs him with a knife.”
While Asif chose to ignore the incident and got off the next stop, he visited the Pakistan High Commission on Thursday to formally report the “death threat” to the UK police and demanding an investigation.
“Khawaja Muhammad Asif lodged a report of the train incident with the local police at the Pakistan High Commission,” said a statement released by the Pakistani diplomatic facility. “He informed the police about the details of the knife threat and harassment incident on the train.”
The incident that took place on the Elizabeth Line is now being investigated by the London Transport police, it added.
“I am on a private visit to London,” Asif was quoted as saying. “I was going to Reading via the Elizabeth Line with a loved one.”
He added that a family of three to four persons “harassed and threatened to kill with a knife and used abusive language” against him while making the video.
“I do not know anyone involved in the incident,” the Pakistan High Commission quoted him as saying. “London Transport Police should use CCTV footage to track down the suspects.”
Asif further said death threats and harassment were a “source of shame” for 1.7 million Pakistanis residing in the UK apart from British citizens.
This is not the first time Pakistani ministers belonging to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz party, have been heckled or harassed in the UK.
In the past, Pakistan Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb have endured the same treatment allegedly by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters of jailed former PM Imran Khan.
Pakistan’s defense minister reports ‘death threat’ to British police, received during subway ride
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Pakistan’s defense minister reports ‘death threat’ to British police, received during subway ride
- Individuals who heckled Khawaja Asif recorded a video, warning he could be stabbed with a knife
- Pakistani ministers have also complained of harassment by Imran Khan’s followers in the past
Pakistan PM to join dialogue panel, meet global leaders at World Economic Forum
- Sharif to address Pakistan breakfast event and attend informal world leaders’ meeting in Davos
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar inaugurates Pakistan Pavilion to display start-ups and investment potential
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to step up Pakistan’s engagement at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, participating in a panel discussion on dialogue in an increasingly divided world and meeting international leaders and heads of global institutions.
Sharif flew to Switzerland a day earlier to attend the WEF’s 56th annual meeting.
The WEF brings together heads of state, senior government officials, business executives and leaders of international organizations to discuss global economic, political and social challenges.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will have a busy day in Davos today,” his office said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
“The prime minister will attend a Pakistan breakfast event and will also address the gathering,” it added. “He will take part in an informal meeting of world leaders this year themed ‘The Importance of Dialogue in a Divided Global Landscape.’”
On the sidelines of the WEF, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is accompanying Sharif, inaugurated the Pathfinder Group’s Pakistan Pavilion, describing it as a platform to project Pakistan’s economic potential and the growing role of innovation-driven enterprises.
“He underscored the critical role of start-ups in advancing socio-economic development and driving innovation across diverse sectors,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the government remained committed to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly youth-led ventures.
Pakistan’s participation at the WEF comes as Islamabad seeks to sustain recent economic stabilization and attract investment by engaging directly with policymakers, business leaders and international institutions at the annual gathering.
