Pakistani lawyers concerned at UKBA strong arm tactics

The UK-based APL, or Association of Pakistani Lawyers, has conveyed its deep concerns over the ongoing targeting of Asian businesses in raids by the UK Border Agency to the Home Secretary.

The APL last week wrote to Alan Johnson via its chairman Amjad Malik to express its discomfort at the high profile UKBA raid on Manchester’s Majid House.

Majid House was the scene of a massive UKBA-led operation which resulted in 23 people being arrested at the clothing warehouse. Those arrested included 2 women and 21 men from Pakistan or Afghanistan who were suspected of working illegally in the UK.

According to media reports, the warehouse had been under surveillance from UKBA officials for several months. The UKBA said it had gathered intelligence information on many of the 20 businesses which operate at Majid House which were mainly clothing wholesalers and manufacturers.

In its complaint letter the APL claimed that Asian businesses are seen as easy prey by the UKBA and suggested that many raids went ahead with little relevant assistance or intelligence. In recent raids businesses have been forced to close their doors for several hours, meaning a loss of wages and potentially customers which can be a major setback.

There was also rebuke for the UKBA’s practice of using running cash confiscated from raided businesses as part of an investigation along with claims of harassment and intimidation by officials.

The APL has asked for a full inquiry to be undertaken at government level, saying the issue was not just a political one.