Pakistan to investigate attack on ex-CJP Qazi Faez Isa’s vehicle in London

The Foreign Office (FO) has announced it is “investigating the matter” involving what it described as an “ambush” on former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa’s car by protesters in the United Kingdom (UK).

In a press briefing held on Thursday in Islamabad, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated, “We believe that protests should stay within acceptable limits.” She explained that the vehicle in question, belonging to the Pakistan High Commission, was provided to assist certain individuals on moral grounds.

This statement from the FO comes just a day after ex-CJP Isa’s car was reportedly stopped and struck by a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters on Tuesday evening. Isa was in the UK to attend an event organized by The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, celebrating his elevation as Callee following his retirement as CJP.

PTI’s UK chapter had earlier called for a protest outside Middle Temple, led by Sahibzada Jahangir, Jahanzeb Khan, Zulfi Bukhari, and Azhar Mashwani, in response to Isa’s presence. Although around 80 people attended and the protest itself ended peacefully, about 10 individuals stayed behind afterward, trying to stop Isa’s vehicle, banging on it, and attempting to open the doors to confront Isa and his wife, Sarina, several hours after the main protest had dispersed.

Around 10:20 p.m., as Isa’s car with a Pakistan High Commission diplomatic number plate was leaving the Temple, PTI supporters, led by Shayan Ali, approached, tried to block the vehicle, and shouted slogans against the former CJP.

Today, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, confirmed in a London press briefing that action had already been taken against those involved in the incident. He referred to the incident as “extremely unfortunate” and assured that the matter would be handled in line with instructions from the Pakistani government.