Anti-Pakistan rhetoric in UK: Diaspora unity required

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The Pakistani diaspora in the UK, despite constituting only 2% of the population, has faced disproportionate scrutiny in discussions surrounding grooming gangs, leading to an unfair and damaging narrative.

The persistent framing of this issue often serves to benefit far-right groups and foreign interests, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining the community’s reputation.

This narrative, which implicates Pakistanis as a whole, fails to address the actions of a small minority of individuals, instead focusing on their ethnic background.

While the Pakistani state acknowledges that a small segment within the diaspora may have acted against Pakistan’s interests, it firmly supports its people, highlighting that they remain an integral part of the nation.

In these challenging times, it is essential for the diaspora to align with Pakistan’s efforts to combat false narratives and protect their global reputation.

The Pakistani government reaffirms its support for the diaspora, emphasising that collective strength and unity are the most effective responses to divisive rhetoric and targeted campaigns.

Pakistan urged the diaspora to remain steadfast in the face of such negative portrayals and to continue their contributions to global society.

Foreign Office response

In response to the growing racial and Islamophobic rhetoric towards the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, the Foreign Office (FO) expressed its deep concerns and categorically condemned the demonisation of an entire community based on the actions of a few individuals.

A spokesperson for the FO stated: “Pakistan-UK friendship is characterised by warmth, cordiality, robust cooperation, and trust. Nurtured over decades, this relationship remains a top priority of Pakistan's foreign policy.” The spokesperson further highlighted the significant role that British Pakistanis play in strengthening the ties between the two nations, noting their contributions across trade, investment, education, security, counter-terrorism, and people-to-people contacts.

Shafqat Ali Khan, a senior official at the FO, emphasised the historical and ongoing contributions of British Pakistanis to the UK. "The presence of 1.7 million British Pakistanis provides the strongest link between our two friendly countries," he said.

He also pointed out the role of British Pakistanis in the British Indian Army, where many Muslim soldiers sacrificed their lives for democracy in both world wars.

The FO condemned any attempt to demonise such a large and diverse community based on the actions of a few individuals.

In response to recent posts by Elon Musk, the FO reiterated that such false claims should not overshadow the significant and positive contributions made by British Pakistanis.

The provocative comments by Musk also prompted a response from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), which clarified that the vast majority of sexual grooming gang offences are carried out by white men, countering the harmful stereotype being perpetuated.

Musk joins anti-Pakistan tirade

Recently, Elon Musk has endorsed an anti-Pakistan narrative promoted by Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP linked to the Shiv Sena (UBT) party.

Chaturvedi sparked controversy when she claimed that the blame for grooming gangs in the UK should not be placed on Asia as a whole, but rather on "one rogue nation"—Pakistan. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, publicly supported this statement, calling it "true" on social media, aligning himself with Chaturvedi’s position.

The debate around grooming gangs in the UK has intensified following remarks by Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recalled overseeing the first prosecution of an Asian grooming gang while heading the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008 and 2013. Chaturvedi criticised Starmer’s narrative, questioning the tendency to associate the issue of grooming gangs with entire ethnic communities.

Musk also voiced his disapproval of Starmer, who has rejected calls for a new national inquiry, advocating instead for the implementation of recommendations from an earlier seven-year inquiry into child sexual exploitation.

Musk’s backing of the anti-Pakistan narrative comes at a time when his company, Starlink, is reportedly engaged in discussions with Pakistani authorities over licensing issues related to satellite internet services.

Some people were commenting online that perhaps Musk’s comments were a tactic to exert pressure on Pakistani authorities and gain leverage.