Paki is viewed as a very offensive term for the simple reason that the BNP type brigades use it as one.

Thats how language works, its not what its short for spelling wise that dictates how its perceived when you say it to someone, its what its short for in terms of negative emotion and aggression and hatred.

Much like the word "CUNT" just means a very pleasant part of a women's body, but because of the way people use it, for some reason now if I walk up to the local vicar and call him one, he wont take is a compliment that I have referred to him as a term for a positive part of the body which the lord he follows created.

So yes Paki is an offensive term when scot or brit isnt, not because its short for the work pakistani, but because its commonly also used as a term that is short for hating them!