The Spirit of Pakistan festival in Birmingham, founded by the late Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, has become an unexpected flashpoint for division within the city's British Pakistani community, despite its aim to unite people. The festival, which received £30,000 in funding from Birmingham City Council this year, has drawn criticism over its connections to the Pakistani state and the timing of the council award.
A Festival Meant to Unite
Waseem Zaffar started Spirit of Pakistan in August 2025 with the goal of challenging negative stereotypes about the British Pakistani community. The festival, which has expanded to 27 events spanning music, sport, and literature, is being continued as his legacy following his sudden death from a heart attack on 30 January 2026. Volunteers at the festival wear green shirts bearing the tagline "A festival for all," reflecting Zaffar's vision of bringing people together.
However, as repeated remarks during the discussion referenced, "all" is a large group to please. The festival has become a divisive issue, with two main points of outrage: its connections to the Pakistani state, in light of a crackdown on Kashmiri protesters, and the £30,000 it received from Birmingham City Council. The controversy has lit up group chats, prompted heated radio discussions, and even reached a national newspaper.
Accusations of Hypocrisy
One of the loudest groups opposing the festival are British Kashmiri-Pakistanis, who make up the majority of Brits with Pakistani heritage, tracing their roots to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The festival's organisers and much of its talent are also predominantly of Kashmiri heritage. Critics accuse the festival of hypocrisy, given its ties to the Pakistani state while celebrating a community that has faced persecution in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The festival's organisers insist the fuss is manufactured, stating that Spirit of Pakistan has nothing to do with Pakistan's government and that community events receiving local authority funding is normal. However, questions have been raised after the councillor who signed off the award was appointed chair of the festival weeks later, and a press release from the government of Pakistan claimed the festival was created in tribute to the country's military.
Attendance and Atmosphere
At a recent panel discussion on British Pakistani identity, attendance was lower than expected. Every ticket for the free event was booked, but the dual forces of cricket and a solar eclipse left the audience at about 20 people. Due to 33C temperatures, the talk was moved from an intimate setting to the air-conditioned 200-capacity main theatre at the Midlands Arts Centre, leaving rows of turquoise seats conspicuously empty.
Despite the low turnout, the energy was undimmed. The event was part of a fortnight of activities celebrating and dissecting British Pakistani cultural contributions, all organised under the Spirit of Pakistan banner. Volunteers wore green shirts bearing the festival's tagline, and tributes to Zaffar were prominent throughout the evening.
Legacy and Controversy
Ash, a volunteer who handled videography and socials for Spirit of Pakistan and knew Zaffar for 15 years, described him as a "good guy" who wanted to counteract negative media portrayals. "Every time you think of Pakistanis, you think of immigrants, grooming gangs," Ash said. "Where is the showcase of the good things? It's so easy to push negative things but we've contributed so much."
The festival's future remains uncertain as it navigates the controversy. The organisers maintain their commitment to unity, but the divisions within the community highlight the challenges of representing a diverse group. As the festival continues to expand, it will need to address these concerns to truly live up to its tagline of being "a festival for all."
