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”.
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”.
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.
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.