Overview
- Mohammad Akhtar, 50, a Peterborough resident, was identified by family as the British national shot in Kotli on June 9 during clashes when security forces fired at nearby protesters.
- A second Briton, Waqas Arif, 38, has been held in Mirpur since June 5 without public charge or a court appearance, and his family say consular contact has been limited.
- Amnesty International and multiple outlets report scores of deaths in the unrest, with Amnesty estimating at least 34 civilian fatalities and six security personnel killed.
- Pakistani authorities have branded the Joint Awami Action Committee a terrorist organisation, imposed a communications blackout and deployed Rangers and other security forces as elections proceeded in phases.
- The cases have prompted the UK FCDO to update travel advice, raise consular and human‑rights concerns with Islamabad, and increased calls from rights groups for an independent investigation that could affect the legitimacy of the vote and bilateral ties.