A London MP who was criticised for backing a campaign to build an airport in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir after voting against Heathrow expansion has defended her decision.
A group of 20 cross-party politicians wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, asking him to fund the construction of an airport in Mirpur.
The campaign, launched by Bedford’s Labour MP Mohammad Yasin, called for better air links to the city because British Kashmiris were put off from visiting because of the 80 mile drive from Islamabad.
The issue is a “very important matter to the Kashmiri diaspora”, they said in a joint letter.
But critics pointed out that almost half of the MPs who had signed the letter had either previously voted against or attacked Heathrow’s plans to build a third runway in west London.
The letter was signed by London MPs Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and Stella Creasy, who had both voted against Heathrow expansion.
This week, I attended a press conference ordained by Mohammed Yasin MP, where 20 cross-party British Parliamentarians requested for an international airport in Mirpur.
— Tahir Ali MP (@TahirAliMP) March 28, 2025
There has been a long-standing promise for an international airport in Mirpur, which has yet to be met. This… pic.twitter.com/WKQJyTty5o
Ms Creasy tweeted on Monday that social media posts criticising her backing the campaign were “not rooted in truth, but division”.
“The letter is to the Pakistan PM to ask them to make good on pledge to build [an] airport in Kashmir as been promised as cohort of British citizens with links to region planning on its arrival,” the Walthamstow MP said.
Adnan Hussain, Debbie Abrahams, Zubir Ahmed, Tahir Ali, Tan Dhesi, James Frith, Gill Furniss, Imran Hussain, Lord Qurban Hussain, Afzal Khan, Abtisam Mohamed, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, Andrew Pakes, Yasmin Qureshi, Naz Shah, Baggy Shanker and Zarah Sultana also signed the letter.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said an MP’s “primary focus” should be on local issues.
Mr Jarvis told Times Radio: “The point is that MPs represent their constituencies in our country. That should be their primary focus, but that doesn’t prevent them from having views about matters internationally.”
These ‘posts’ not rooted in truth but division.
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) March 31, 2025
The letter is to the Pakistan PM to ask them to make good on pledge to build airport in Kashmir as been promised as cohort of British citizens with links to region planning on its arrival.
Spread the truth and stop the hate. https://t.co/sodjOaXvIF
MP for Birmingham, Tahir Ali, prompted a backlash after he called for the international airport to be built despite his city currently being plagued by bin strikes.
He said: “There has been a long-standing promise for an international airport in Mirpur, which has yet to be met.
“This causes significant issues to a number of my constituents, who are having to drive over three hours to get to the nearest airport in Pakistan.
“I will continue to push for this cause, and pursue this issue until permission is granted for a new airport.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick hit back: “You’re an MP for Birmingham, not Mirpur. The streets of your city are literally piled high in rubbish thanks to your Labour council. Focus on the UK.”
