Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Reports Harassment and Threats to London Police

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, during a visit to the Pakistan High Commission in London, lodged a formal complaint with the local police following an incident of harassment, verbal abuse, and murder threats earlier this week. The event occurred while he was traveling on the Elizabeth Line, part of the city’s transit network.

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the incident, which took place on November 11, 2024, at approximately 3:30 PM, detailing how he was targeted by a group of three to four individuals. He stated that these individuals harassed him, filmed him without his consent, used abusive language, and issued murder threats involving a knife.

“I am in London on a private visit with a relative, and I was traveling to Reading via the Elizabeth Line,” Asif said, emphasizing that he did not recognize any of the perpetrators involved. He called on the London Transport Police to utilize CCTV footage to identify and locate the individuals responsible.

The London Transport Police has since launched an investigation into the matter. Asif underscored that such incidents are not only reprehensible but also a matter of concern for the approximately 1.7 million British-Pakistanis living in the UK.