Pakistan condemns 'xenophobic remarks' targeting British-Pakistani diaspora

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday expressed concern over "increasingly racist and Islamophobic political and media commentary" targeting the British-Pakistani community in the United Kingdom.

"To demonize such a large and diverse community on the basis of the actions of a few individuals needs to be condemned,” a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.

The remarks come amid renewed media focus in the U.K. on past grooming gang scandals allegedly involving individuals of Pakistani origin.

The statement emphasized the need to avoid conflating the actions of a few with the entire 1.7 million-strong British-Pakistani diaspora. "British nationals of Pakistani origin have a rich history of contributing to the United Kingdom's growth, development, and, indeed, freedom," the spokesperson added.

The statement highlighted the robust ties between Pakistan and the U.K., underscoring cooperation in trade, education, and counter-terrorism. The spokesperson described the bilateral relationship as "characterized by warmth, cordiality, robust cooperation, and trust."

Islamabad also called attention to the contributions of British-Pakistanis in various sectors, including healthcare, public service, and culture. "British Pakistanis today form the backbone of the U.K.’s health, retail, and services sectors. Their cuisine and music enrich British culture," the spokesperson said.

The ministry’s remarks follow comments by US entrepreneur Elon Musk, who criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s handling of the issue during his tenure as the country’s top prosecutor.

Pakistan urged restraint and a focus on fostering community cohesion. "The presence of a vibrant diaspora is a bridge of friendship between our two nations, and efforts to divide communities only weaken this bond," the spokesperson noted.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the U.K. while advocating for mutual respect and understanding between the two nations.

What’s the scandal?

A report in 2014 made a conservative estimate that more than 1,400 girls were sexually exploited in the town of Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. Many were already known to local services because they were in care or had been subject to neglect.

It said girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators. It said local officials deemed the children to be having consensual sexual intercourse.

The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion, or being seen as racist.

An investigation into similar cases in Oldham criticized police and the local council but said they had not discovered a cover up.

Starmer’s role

Starmer was the director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013.

He said that he had tackled the issue head on, brought the first major prosecution of a gang accused of grooming and rape, and had the highest number of child sexual abuse cases being prosecuted when he left the role.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured giving a speech at a healthcare provider in Surrey, on January 6, 2025 in Epsom, Britain. Reuters

Opposition politicians including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, head of the right-wing Reform Party, have called for a national inquiry after media reports said the government had told Oldham council it should hold its own investigation.

Britain has held numerous investigations into child abuse scandals in different areas of northern England. A broader nationwide public inquiry into child sexual abuse, including within churches and schools, reported in 2022, making a number of recommendations which have not yet been implemented.

Starmer's government, elected in July, said it was working at pace to implement the recommendations.

Why Musk got involved?

Musk has amplified the issue. He accused Britain's safeguarding minister Jess Phillips of being a "rape genocide apologist" who should be in jail. He also said Starmer must quit and accused him of failing to prosecute when he ran the Crown Prosecution Service.

Billionaire Elon Musk has led attacks on PM Starmer from his profile on XReuters

Professor Alexis Jay, who led an inquiry into crimes in Rotherham, and the national abuse inquiry, said a new inquiry was not needed and the government should work to implement her previous recommendations.

Musk's near-constant criticism of Starmer and his Labour government has hindered the prime minister as he tries to set the agenda in the new year, following a difficult first six months in power.

A speech on efforts to overhaul the health service was overshadowed by questions about Musk, with Starmer defending his record and attacking those who spread misinformation online.

Starmer has refrained from commenting on Musk's increasingly critical comments of his premiership, not wanting to engage in a public slanging match with someone who could influence Trump's thinking on ties with Britain.

Starmer is not the only British politician in Musk's sights. He had appeared close to the Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage last year, before he said on Sunday that Farage should quit because he does not have what it takes to lead Reform.

The two men had appeared to disagree over British anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, with Farage saying he disagreed with Musk's backing for Robinson.

Robinson is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court.

*With additional input from Reuters