Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has said it deleted a post from its UK chapter’s X account showing a Bradford protest after concerns were raised about “provocative” remarks against Pakistan’s military leadership, stressing that the party does not endorse unlawful behaviour of any kind.
Read More: FO demarches UK over ‘provocative’ Bradford protest
According to informed sources, the post — uploaded on Dec 23 — carried a video of demonstrators outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford making statements that authorities in Islamabad later described as incitement to violence. The post was removed after Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned Acting British High Commissioner Matt Cannell and issued a demarche to the UK government.
In a statement on X early Saturday, PTI UK said the clip featured what it described as a citizen’s “metaphorical remarks” and was deleted “in an abundance of caution” to prevent misunderstandings and to safeguard the individual legally. The party said it did not believe the remarks amounted to incitement but reiterated that it remained committed to non-violence and the rule of law.
We have removed a video from the recent Bradford protest featuring a citizen’s metaphorical remarks regarding General Asim Munir. Although we do not believe the individual incited violence, the post was deleted in an abundance of caution to prevent potential misunderstanding, and… pic.twitter.com/f9tOJdk6X5
— PTI UK (@UKPTIOfficial) December 26, 2025
The Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that it had formally asked the UK authorities to take action against individuals using British soil to issue threats against Pakistan’s civil and military leadership. The UK, in response, advised Pakistan to share evidence with British police, saying any material that appeared to violate UK law would be reviewed and could lead to a criminal investigation.
PTI UK said Pakistanis at home and abroad were facing what it termed “unprecedented repression”, linking public frustration to the imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. It said global concern over their treatment was understandable but should not translate into unlawful conduct.
Read More: PTI begins street movement with Liberty Chowk rally led by KP CM
The controversy also drew reactions from government ministers and political figures. PML-N ministers accused PTI of promoting threats under the guise of politics, while former PTI leader Imran Ismail urged the party’s central leadership to issue a clear condemnation of inflammatory remarks to avoid further diplomatic and political fallout.