And here's the nub....
In any reasonable theoretical sense the word (as a diminutive of Pakistani) shouldn't be offensive.
However after decades of being spat out in the context/s list by VJ above I fear it has been sullied to the point where it will alway have a racist undertone.
I'm sure there are other example of words that have become 'no go' by dint of constant misuse - spastic is one that springs to mind - which I'm sure was purely a medical term at one point?
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