Pakistani diaspora in the UK urged to counter unfair grooming gangs narrative

LONDON: Despite forming only 2% of the population in the UK, the Pakistani diaspora is disproportionately targeted in ongoing discussions regarding grooming gangs, creating an unfair and distorted narrative, critics argue.

This portrayal, they assert, fuels Islamophobia and racial bias, overlooking essential facts and stoking anti-Pakistani sentiment. The negative stereotyping, according to experts, inadvertently empowers far-right groups and external forces with vested interests while also exploiting divisions within the diaspora communities themselves.

The Pakistani state has voiced concern over this issue, recognising that while a small segment within the diaspora may have engaged in actions contrary to Pakistan’s interests, the broader community remains an integral part of the nation. Officials emphasise that such negative portrayals do not represent the whole community, and they stand firmly behind the diaspora.

Pakistan has urged its citizens abroad to prioritise unity and avoid being manipulated by political forces aiming to weaken their collective identity. The government stressed that the recurring narratives targeting the Pakistani diaspora must be countered with solidarity and collective strength.

The statement also highlighted the broader geopolitical implications, warning that such rhetoric may align with attempts to undermine both the diaspora’s social cohesion and Pakistan’s global reputation.