ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office summoned the British ambassador on Friday to protest against display of ‘Free Balochistan’ posters on London cabs.

“Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua called in the British High Commissioner, Thomas Drew, today to convey Pakistan’s serious concern at the display of slogans on London cabs that directly attack Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the FO said.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Britain Ibne Abbas has also taken up the matter with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

The posters campaign was sponsored by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), whose leaders Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Daud, and Hyrbyair Marri are based in Europe.

Protest lodged after ‘Free Balochistan’ posters seen in London

Western governments have been generally sympathetic to Baloch separatists and some of them have, what some officials say, “indirectly patronised them”.

The FBM leadership, including the one based in the UK, has been freely lobbying in London to drum up support for their cause.

“Pakistan is aware of intentions of such sinister and malicious campaigns, which should not be allowed on the soil of a friendly country,” the foreign secretary told the British envoy.

The FO said: “The high commissioner was informed that Pakistan, in line with the UN Charter, rejects actions and advertisements with malicious content that impinge on our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The display of posters in London is not an isolated incident. This was the second such instance in as many months. In September, Free Balochistan posters surfaced in Geneva, which were sponsored by Balochistan House, a group linked with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army organisation.

The FO had on that occasion summoned the Swiss ambassador and protested over the incident. The Swiss government was then urged to take action against perpetrators of the malicious campaign.

Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner met Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa at the General Headquarters.

“During the meeting matters of mutual interest and regional security were discussed,” the ISPR said.

High Commissioner Drew had earlier this week visited Afghanistan and it is believed that his meeting with Gen Bajwa was also in the context of Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2017