ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan’s Foreign Office on Mo­n­day condemned “racist and Islamophobic” narratives in the United King­dom that target the British-Pakistani community over a grooming scandal, warning against maligning an entire diaspora for the crimes of a few.

“To demonise such a large and diverse community on the basis of the actions of a few individuals needs to be condemned,” the FO said in a statement, adding that such commentary contrasts decades of cooperation and goodwill between the two countries.

The remarks follow ren­e­wed political and media scrutiny of past grooming scandals in northern England, involving predominantly Pakistani men accused of exploiting vulnerable girls. The issue reemerged after billionaire Elon Musk, who also owns microblogging site X, accused British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of inaction during his tenure as director of public prosecutions (2008-13).

The scandal first came to light through a 2014 report revealing that over 1,400 girls in Rotherham were groomed and abused between 1997 and 2013. Similar cases were reported in other towns, such as Oldham. Authorities faced criticism for failing to address the ethnic dimensions of the crimes, fearing accusations of racism.

Musk accused Starmer of being “complicit in the rape of Britain” by not prosecuting offenders more effectively during his leadership of the Crown Prosecution Service. While Starmer defended his record, Musk’s remarks fueled divisive political discourse and calls for a national inquiry.

Amid the growing controversy, Pakistan’s FO emphasised the positive contributions of British Pakistanis, who it said have played a vital role in the UK’s growth and cultural enrichment.

“British nationals of Pakistani origin have a rich history of contributing to the United Kingdom’s growth, development and, indeed, freedom,” the statement said. It also highlighted the sacrifices of Muslim soldiers from present-day Pakistan during the two World Wars and the community’s current role in the UK’s health, retail, and service sectors.

British Pakistanis also hold significant positions in public life, including as members of parliament, councillors, and police officers, the statement noted. “Their cuisine and music enrich British culture,” it added.

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to its “warm” and “robust” relationship with the UK, emphasising the importance of countering divisive narratives. “We note with deep concern the increasingly racist and Islamophobic political and media commentary in the UK that is aimed at conflating the reprehensible actions of a few individuals with the entire 1.7 million British Pakistani diaspora,” the statement said, calling for fair characterisation of Pakistani origin community.

The FO remarks come as British leaders grapple with balancing demands for accountability over grooming scandals and concerns about fueling xenophobia.

Despite the controversy, Pakistan urged both countries to focus on shared values and mutual respect, impliedly warning that inflammatory rhetoric could damage the longstanding ties between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025