Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Muhammad Faisal has stated that his country expects British law enforcement agencies to prosecute Ankit Love and other “raucous” protesters involved in threatening and criminal behaviour.
Addressing a press conference in London, Faisal expressed hope that those arrested and charged would be dealt with in accordance with the relevant British laws.
As tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi escalate following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani and Indian diaspora protesters confronted each other and staged demonstrations outside the missions of both countries in central London over the weekend.
“Early morning on Sunday, 27th April, at approximately 5:18 am, a miscreant who the British law enforcement agencies later identified as Ankit Love — a man in his early forties — attacked the premises of the High Commission of Pakistan, located at 34-36 Lowndes Square, London,” he said.
He added that Ankit pelted stones and saffron paint at the outer wall of the building, shattering several window panes and leaving a saffron-colored stain on the High Commission’s nameplate and the main wall.
“Our on-duty staff immediately informed the Metropolitan Police, which swiftly reached the crime scene and apprehended the suspect shortly after the incident,” the high commissioner noted.
According to Dr Faisal, the attack followed a violent and unruly protest outside the High Commission on Friday, 25 April 2025, involving members of the Indian/British Indian community who were chanting anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim slogans.
“Several protesters — some wearing saffron garments commonly associated with Hindutva extremist groups and waving Indian flags — engaged in very hostile behaviour. They hurled racist and Islamophobic abuses at officials of the High Commission, as well as Metropolitan Police officers, leading to multiple arrests following altercations with British law enforcement officials,” he added.
Dr Faisal stated that his office was in continuous contact with the Metropolitan Police to obtain full details about Ankit, as his nationality has yet to be revealed by the authorities.
“We expect that the British law enforcement agencies will prosecute Ankit, as well as the raucous protesters detained on Friday, in accordance with the relevant British laws. Regrettably, this is not the first incident where the High Commission of Pakistan or our Consulates in the United Kingdom have been attacked.
“We have reiterated our request to the UK authorities to urgently enhance security measures to ensure the safety and integrity of our diplomatic missions and the protection of our diplomatic staff. We expect the host authorities to uphold their responsibilities under the Vienna Convention to ensure the safety and dignity of diplomatic missions,” he concluded.
