UK councillor tries to deter PTI protesters outside Avenfield

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists appeared to have ignored a police warning and staged a protest outside Avenfield apartments belonging to Sharif family in London against the arrest of Imran Khan.

One of the most harried persons was Paul Fisher, the Westminster City Councillor for West End, in central London, as he tried to reason with PTI protestors outside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s London residence at Avenfield House, where they were shouting slogans.

In a tweet, showing his frustration, Fisher said: “I tried my best to reason with protesters today who were obviously frustrated by arrest of #imrankhan and I will continue dialogue, including a pledge to bring scrutiny to bear on #Avenfieldhouse. But if we need to resort to using the police to move them on, I will support this”.

If @metpoliceuk put in place dispersal orders in the centre of our city which are then not enforced, it undermines their authority. This is much larger than these protests: it goes to the heart of whether London’s streets are being properly policed. https://t.co/pFgRrrg49h

— Paul Fisher (@PaulEFishr) May 11, 2023

Avenfield House is where Pakistan’s first family owns many properties. These flats are located near Hyde Park, London, one of poshest and most expensive areas in the British capital. Ironically, their slogan of choice was “Hum Lekar Rahenge Azaadi”.

A dispersal order is now in place on #DunravenStreet outside #AvenfieldHouse . The credibility of @metpoliceuk is now again on the line. Protesters have alternatives. Residents don’t. In that balance of interests it’s clear these protests need to be moved. pic.twitter.com/DxslGkdh5p

— Paul Fisher (@PaulEFishr) May 10, 2023

I understand from residents that a dispersal order was issued last night for Dunraven Street. The below seems to confirm this. @metpoliceuk can you confirm?
If confirmed, no one should be violating this order by gathering in large groups on this street. https://t.co/T4k8LcK5k1

— Paul Fisher (@PaulEFishr) May 10, 2023

Khan’s supporters also gathered outside the Pakistani High Commission in London on Tuesday and carried forward their protests for a second day running. Khan’s party, PTI has dug deep roots in western societies and enjoys a large following among professional Pakistani diaspora like teachers and doctors.

It was v important for me to speak with protesters outside #AvenfieldHouse to make clear there is no dispute re their right to protest. But their qualified right should be balanced against rights of residents (as a matter of law and principle). Time to move to a better location. pic.twitter.com/xFAaC6at4A

— Paul Fisher (@PaulEFishr) May 10, 2023

Immediately after Khan’s arrest, labelled as illegal detention by his supporters, PTI supporters gave a global call for people to assemble at important locations including the iconic Times Square in New York. Former Special Assistant to the Pakistani prime minister on political communications, Dr Shahbaz Gill roused party supporters to gather at Times Square.