Zarah Sultana accused of ‘hypocrisy’ after backing Mirpur airport despite opposing Heathrow expansion

Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana has backed calls for a new airport in the Pakistan-administered Mirpur district, just weeks after she opposed the opening of a new runway at Heathrow.

Sultana, who currently sits as an Independent MP after losing the Labour whip last year, is one of 20 MPs who has signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan calling for an airport to be opened in Mirpur in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir.

In the letter, the cross-party group, headed by Labour MP Tahir Ali, noted that there are “over a million British Kashmiris” living in the UK, many of whom have raised concerns to their local MPs about travel times from the UK to Kashmir.

Currently, the nearest major international airport to Mirpur is Islamabad International Airport, 130km away from the city, leaving travellers with a three-hour drive to their destination.

The MPs backing the calls have argued that the airport’s construction would not only cut journey times to Kashmir from the UK, but also boost investment and jobs in the region

Initial plans for an airport in Mirpur were approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Prime Minister in 2013, but no progress has been made on the development since.

The MPs backing the calls have argued that the airport’s construction would not only cut journey times to Kashmir from the UK, but also boost investment and jobs in the region.

Many of these MPs have come under fire for supporting the plans, with commentators in The Spectator and the Daily Mail criticising them for not focusing on problems closer to home.

Criticism of Sultana has largely focused on her outspoken opposition towards government plans to expand Heathrow Airport, which she has described as “reckless, short-sighted and indefensible”.

The same political class that enforces net zero immiseration at home is cheering on massive construction in Kashmir […] It’s eco-austerity for me and you, and shiny new airports for the people of Mirpur

Brendan O’Neill, columnist, The Spectator

She suggested that plans for a new runway were the wrong decision to take while “in the middle of a climate emergency”. This post, on X, has since been community noted, following her support for the Mirpur airport.

Brendan O’Neill, a columnist for The Spectator, criticised Sultana’s “hypocrisy”, writing: “The same political class that enforces net zero immiseration at home is cheering on massive construction in Kashmir […] It’s eco-austerity for me and you, and shiny new airports for the people of Mirpur.”

Ali has also faced criticism, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick writing on X: “You’re an MP for Birmingham, not Mirpur.”

Referring to the ongoing bin strikes in Birmingham, Jenrick also added: “The streets of your city are literally piled high in rubbish thanks to your Labour council. Focus on the UK.”

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

Dan Jarvis, Security Minister

Dan Jarvis, the Government’s Security Minister issued a softer rebuke to the MPs, telling Times Radio: “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.”

Jarvis’ comments reflect the view of Labour insiders, who see the campaign as deeply unhelpful, and giving other parties ammunition in the lead-up to the local elections in May.

The letter has also come under attack from nationalist press in India, such as far-right news website OpIndia.

The region of Kashmir is disputed between the Indian and Pakistani governments, with each claiming absolute ownership. Mirpur is in the region currently administered by Pakistan.

The letter from MPs to Pakistan’s Prime Minister has been treated by some in India as an affront to the country’s sovereignty, with accusations that the letter “meddles” in foreign affairs.