The Foreign Office (FO) strongly condemned the growing racist and Islamophobic commentary directed at the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.
FO spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan made the remarks during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Monday, expressing concern over recent public discourse surrounding the British Pakistani community.
The statement followed a controversial debate sparked by Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, who targeted the Pakistani community in Britain, referring to them in connection with “Asian grooming gangs.”
Musk also accused the British government of protecting these gangs, labeled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer a “rape-genocide apologist” and called for his imprisonment.
The situation further escalated when Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader of India’s Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, demanded that the term “Pakistani grooming gangs” be used instead of “Asian grooming gangs.” Musk expressed support for her remarks by replying “true” to her tweet.
Khan condemned the politicized narrative that aimed to link the actions of a few individuals to the entire British Pakistani diaspora of 1.7 million.
He stressed that such rhetoric only fuels racism and Islamophobia, further marginalizing a community that has contributed significantly to Britain’s development.
Khan also reminded the public of the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Britain, characterized by warmth, trust and cooperation, cultivated over decades. He highlighted the vital role of British Pakistanis in Britain’s economy and culture.
The FO spokesman pointed out the historical contribution of British Pakistanis and noted that many Muslim soldiers from what is now Pakistan served in the British Indian Army during both world wars and fought for democracy.
Khan concluded by stressing that demonizing an entire society for the actions of a few individuals is unacceptable and must be condemned. He reiterated that British Pakistanis remain a vital part of the fabric of the United Kingdom, enriching its culture and contributing to its success.
