Two masked men, posing as delivery riders, targeted a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz used by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif outside his Avenfield apartments in central London. The incident, which involved damaging the vehicles and removing parts, has been described by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) officials as a suspected politically motivated attack.
CCTV footage released on X by PML-N Youth Wing leader Khurram Butt shows two individuals arriving on motorcycles around midnight, wearing masks and gloves to conceal their identities, before approaching the vehicles parked outside the former prime minister's residence. Nawaz is currently in London on a week-long visit for medical check-ups, accompanied by his sons, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz.
According to Butt, the suspects removed four items from the vehicles and damaged at least one rear-view mirror. The combined value of the BMW and Mercedes-Benz is estimated at approximately £200,000, though the extent of the financial loss has not been independently verified.
While seven to ten other vehicles were parked along the same road, only those associated with Nawaz were targeted. The vehicles are typically parked within the Avenfield property, but ongoing renovation work forced them to be left on the public road.
Butt confirmed that the footage has been handed over to the Metropolitan Police for investigation. PML-N UK President Ahsan Dar alleged the incident appeared politically motivated, citing the selective targeting of the vehicles.
However, authorities have yet to establish the suspects' identities or motives. The Sharif family has faced several security-related incidents in London previously, including confrontations in May 2023 and attempted breaches of their residence in 2018 and 2021.
The Metropolitan Police have initiated a formal inquiry into the matter. Local law enforcement is currently reviewing the surveillance footage to track the suspects' escape route and identify their motorcycles.
PML-N supporters in London have expressed concern over the safety of the former prime minister, urging the British authorities to provide enhanced security measures during his stay. The incident has sparked a debate within the Pakistani diaspora, with various political factions offering conflicting interpretations of the event.
As the investigation continues, the Sharif family remains under heightened security protocols at their Avenfield residence to prevent any further untoward incidents.