Posh neighbourhood disrupted by daily protests over exiled former Pakistan Prime Minister
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents on a posh London street say protesters are ruining their lives by blocking their homes “almost every single day” and forcing them to live in fear.
Residents living there say they have to endure daily protests in front of Avenfield House, in Dunraven Street near Park Lane, which houses the family of the former prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, on the fourth floor.
Demonstrations are said to erupt “virtually every day” as pro and anti-Sharif groups call on the beleaguered politician to move out.
Mr Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison, forced to resign as Prime Minister and disqualified from office.
He was also fined $10.6m (£8.5m) on corruption charges linked to 2016 Panama Papers leaks over his family’s properties overseas, the Investigative Consortium of Investigative Journalists reported.
The outlet reported Mr Sharif is in self-imposed exile in London after he failed to return to Pakistan following a trip to the United Kingdom on medical bail.
Since then, the street has been flooded with pro and anti-Sherif demonstrators who come packed with signage, drums and chants and are known to occasionally clash.
One resident, who wishes not to be named out of fear of being targeted, said: “They are aggressive and intense protests. It has become very unbearable since last summer.”
Jo Redway, who runs Avenfield House for property company MEPM (JR), said the protests have been difficult for everyone on the street.
She said: “These demonstrations are about one family that just happens to live here and I think there is a real misconception that they own the whole building but they don’t. They only own a little bit of it.”
Reports claim Mr Sharif owns 16, 16a, 17 and 17a on the third floor.
She said though her staff respected everyone’s right to protest, they have proven particularly difficult to endure and have cost thousands of pounds in repairs.
Ms Redway, who has looked after Avenfield House for 20 years, said: “When the demonstrations are on, a lot of people feel trapped in their own homes. There have been eggs thrown at the building’s stonework.
“We have had the gates broken and broken glass and a lot of people living here are frightened by it.”
They’ve also threatened to kill staff, Jo claimed. She said: “They have threatened the porters and staff. This is a block under siege. There are very few days when there isn’t someone standing outside. There is a thought at the back of your mind that you could be at the receiving end of something worse than an egg.”
She said the Sharifs made it clear they understood the protests were a disturbance for others.
Westminster councillor Paul Fisher said: “‘A meeting with residents, the police and the council was held a few weeks ago at my request.
“I am confident that we are moving towards a solution and that this is being taken seriously, but I will be keeping up the pressure to make sure that the politics of Pakistan doesn’t lead to anti-social behaviour on London’s streets.”
A spokesperson for the Met police said in terms of lawful protests, officers will always look to balance the right of protestors with those of the community.
They said any local residents with concerns should speak to officers at the location or call 101.
Sharif’s family were approached for comment but declined.
Pictured top: Protests outside Avenfield House on Easter day, 2022 (Picture: LDRS)