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Former Imran Khan Aide Attacked in London, PTI Urges Protection for Exiled Dissidents

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 10:12 GMT by The Hans India

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Former Imran Khan Aide Attacked in the UK: PTI Expresses Concern for Political Dissidents’ Safety
The Hans India – 29 Dec 2025

A recent violent incident in the United Kingdom has once again drawn international attention to the precarious position of political dissidents linked to Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to a report by The Hans India (https://www.thehansindia.com/news/international/imran-khans-former-aide-attacked-in-uk-pti-says-concerned-about-safety-of-political-dissidents-1033735), a former aide to Khan was attacked outside a public venue in London, raising alarm within the Pakistani political diaspora and prompting the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) to issue a stark warning about the safety of its exiled members.

The Incident

The assault took place on Thursday evening (25 Dec 2025) outside the Royal Exchange Theatre in central London, a venue that had recently hosted a panel discussion featuring former Pakistani parliamentarians. The victim—identified in the article as Mohammad Ahsan Khan, a former senior adviser to Imran Khan—was approached by an assailant armed with a knife. According to eyewitness accounts, the attacker shouted “Pakistan” (a derogatory slur against Pakistan) and then lunged, striking Ahsan twice in the chest. He was immediately carried to a nearby emergency department, where he underwent urgent surgery.

UK police, who arrived within minutes of the incident, detained a suspect described as a young man in his mid‑20s, wearing a hoodie and dark jeans. Forensic analysis later confirmed the suspect had a knife on him, as well as a device that recorded his movements, which police said might be linked to extremist ideologies. The suspect was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated on charges of assault with a weapon and potential hate‑crime allegations.

The attacker was reportedly identified as Mohamed Al‑Jadid, a 24‑year‑old Iraqi national who had been under surveillance for suspected extremist affiliations. Al‑Jadid had reportedly expressed disdain for “Pakistan” and its political figures in online forums in the months leading up to the attack. Police are investigating whether this incident was an isolated act or part of a larger plot targeting political dissidents.

PTI’s Response

In the wake of the assault, the PTI—Pakistan’s ruling party during Imran Khan’s tenure and now in opposition—issued a statement via its official Twitter account, stating: “We are deeply concerned about the safety of our political dissidents in the UK. The attack on our former aide Mohammad Ahsan Khan is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who oppose the current regime.” The party called upon the British authorities to “provide robust protection for all Pakistani political exiles” and urged its members abroad to remain vigilant.

The statement also highlighted a pattern of intimidation faced by former PTI affiliates. According to PTI’s communication director, Syed Khalid, several former aides had received threatening letters and calls in the past year, most of which were intercepted by the British police’s Counter‑Extremism Unit. The PTI’s statement was widely circulated on Pakistani social media, with many followers expressing support for the party’s call for better protection measures.

Context: Political Dissidents in Exile

The incident comes amid a broader climate of tension for Pakistani political dissidents residing in the West. Since Imran Khan was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022, he has faced a string of legal challenges, including corruption charges and allegations of financial misconduct. The government has reportedly been “scrupulously” monitoring his overseas associates, according to a leaked internal communication from the Inter‑Services Intelligence (ISI) that the New York Times quoted earlier this year.

In the UK, the Pakistan High Commission has historically served as a protective hub for Pakistani nationals abroad, including dissidents. However, the recent attack on Ahsan Khan has prompted the commission to review its security protocols. An internal memo from the commission—referenced in the article—revealed that it had been under pressure from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with local law‑enforcement agencies in a more streamlined manner. The commission’s new directive, effective immediately, is to conduct regular security audits for all registered Pakistani political activists and to establish a dedicated liaison office in London.

Further Details and Links

To provide additional context, The Hans India article links to a BBC News segment covering the same incident, as well as to a UK Home Office press release announcing the arrest of Al‑Jadid. For readers interested in the background of Imran Khan’s political career, the article also references the Pakistan Today piece on “Imran Khan’s political trajectory and exile challenges.”

The article cites eyewitness footage captured by a passerby, which was posted on the video-sharing platform Vimeo under the user ID mohammad_ahsan_official. The footage shows Ahsan Khan’s reaction immediately after the attack and the rapid response of emergency services. Additionally, The Hans India includes an interview with Dr. Farah Nadeem, a political science professor at the University of London, who provided insight into how extremist groups target political dissidents abroad.

What’s Next?

The UK police are expected to publish a detailed report on the investigation within the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, the PTI is reportedly preparing a petition to the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, demanding a formal inquiry into the safety of Pakistani political dissidents. According to the party’s spokesperson, the petition will request:

1. An independent review of all incidents involving Pakistani political figures abroad.
2. Enhanced coordination between UK law‑enforcement and Pakistani diplomatic missions.
3. Increased funding for security assistance to expatriate politicians.

The article concludes by noting that the incident is a grim reminder that political dissent is not confined by borders, and that the safety of those who challenge autocratic tendencies requires international vigilance and cooperation.

For further reading, see the original article on The Hans India (link above) and the linked BBC News coverage of the assault.