High Commissioner Dr Mohammed Faisal condemns vandalism at Pakistan High Commission in London, calls for enhanced security

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Dr. Mohammed Faisal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, on Tuesday strongly condemned a targeted attack on the premises of the Pakistan High Commission in London that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, April 27.

The incident, involving vandalism and hate-fueled actions, marks another alarming episode in a string of provocations aimed at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in the UK.

According to a formal media statement released by the High Commission, at approximately 5:18 a.m., a suspect identified by British law enforcement as Ankit Love, a man in his early forties, launched an attack on the building located at 34-36 Lowndes Square.

The assailant pelted stones and hurled saffron-colored powder at the outer walls of the High Commission, shattering multiple window panes and staining both the main wall and the official nameplate of the mission.

“Our on-duty staff immediately informed the Metropolitan Police, who responded swiftly and apprehended the suspect shortly after the incident,” said High Commissioner Dr Faisal.

This attack followed a violent protest staged outside the High Commission just two days earlier, on Friday, April 25, by members of the Indian and British-Indian community. Protesters, some of whom wore saffron clothing commonly associated with Hindutva extremist groups and waved Indian flags, were reported to have shouted anti-Pakistan and Islamophobic slogans. Several individuals engaged in hostile behavior, hurling racial and religious slurs at both Pakistani officials and Metropolitan Police officers. These altercations led to multiple arrests.

“This disturbing trend of targeted aggression must be addressed with urgency. It is unacceptable that our diplomats and premises continue to face such threats,” Dr. Faisal asserted.

He emphasized that the High Commission is in close contact with British authorities to obtain comprehensive information about the suspect, including confirmation of his nationality, which has yet to be officially disclosed.

The High Commissioner called upon UK law enforcement to ensure that the perpetrator and the violent demonstrators involved in Friday’s unrest are prosecuted to the fullest extent of British law.

“Regrettably, this is not the first such incident targeting the High Commission or our Consulates in the UK. We have once again reiterated our request to the UK authorities to bolster security around our diplomatic installations,” Dr Faisal said.

He also invoked the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, reminding the UK government of its international obligations to safeguard diplomatic premises and personnel.

“We expect the host authorities to take all necessary steps to uphold the sanctity and dignity of diplomatic missions in line with international norms and treaties,” the statement concluded.