Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf's 'unofficial asylum' in London and the unprecedented privileges being received by him has come under the scanner, as a Labour peer has objected strongly against it.
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham has objected strongly to British Government's decision to provide a security cover to Musharraf. Lord Ahmed, in his letter to the Home Secretary, has said asked the government to discontinue Musharraf's police protection as he believed his presence would stoke unrest within the Muslim community in the country.
"I think the government needs to review Musharraf's security. There are people within Britain who could do with those extra police officers rather than a man who can afford private body guards. I also believe that if he remains in this country then he is a threat to peace and public order," The Times quoted Lord Ahmed, as saying.
He urged the authorities to stop spending money on protection by Scotland Yard for the exiled leader. "It is evident from various newspaper reports that the British Pakistani and Kashmiri community is deeply disturbed and divided by Musharraf's controversial campaign and the security provided by the Home Office for this purpose," Lord Ahmed's letter stated.
"I would strongly urge the Government to distance themselves from Musharraf and his political ambitions here as I firmly believe that any perceived promotion or assistance of his activities here may have an adverse impact on community cohesion within the United Kingdom," it added.
However, he is yet to receive a reply of the letter. Earlier, in a letter to Lord Ahmed, a borough councilor, Pervez Choudhry had informed that people, especially of the Muslim community are not happy with the Labour Party's decision to allow Musharraf to stay in London.
"The people of Slough and in particular the Pakistani community are extremely upset and angry that local Labour Party officials took it upon themselves to invite General Musharraf to Slough," Choudhry wrote.
Musharraf had visited Slough for the Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations. "They used this day to furtively invite this man whose hands are drenched in the blood of innocent men, women and children in Pakistan. This is seen as a slap on the face of British Pakistanis and total disregard for democratic values in Britain," Choudhry further added.
