Khawaja Asif files complaint after knife threat, harassment in London

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has filed a formal complaint with the local police in London after being harassed and threatened with a knife during a train journey on Monday. The London Transport Police have confirmed they are investigating the matter, as reported by state-run media on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred on the Elizabeth Line around 3:30 pm, saw a group of three to four individuals approach Asif and harass him while he was on his way to Reading. 

According to the defence minister, the individuals filmed him without permission, used abusive language, and made threats involving a knife. He also noted that he did not recognise any of the individuals involved.

Asif, who was in London for a private visit, informed the police about the threatening encounter and urged the London Transport Police to examine CCTV footage from the train to identify the suspects. 

He stressed that such harassment was not only a personal affront but also an embarrassment for the 1.7 million British-Pakistani citizens living in the UK.

The minister expressed his dismay over the incident, calling it shameful and regrettable, as it adds to a troubling trend of harassment faced by Pakistani officials and political figures in the UK. 

The most recent example of such harassment involved former Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, whose vehicle was attacked by PTI supporters in London last month.

Similarly, Judge Humayun Dilawar, who sentenced PTI founder Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case, was chased by PTI supporters in August, 2023.