Qamar Bashir
In an unprecedented wave of political activism, overseas Pakistanis—particularly staunch supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Imran Khan—have mounted a global campaign of defiance against the current Pakistani regime. From London to New York, Toronto to Berlin, these protests have transcended symbolic gestures to become aggressive assertions of political will. The Pakistani diaspora has turned global cities into battlegrounds for democratic accountability, branding those allegedly involved in
electoral manipulation as persona non grata.
These protests reflect deep-rooted disillusionment among overseas Pakistanis toward what they perceive as a civilian-military coup. The Form-45 regime, symbolizing electoral rigging, has become a rallying cry for expatriates who feel democracy has been hijacked. These protests have evolved into personal confrontations, with Pakistani officials—civilian and military alike—being heckled and humiliated abroad.
Overseas Pakistanis have effectively shrunk the world for those they hold responsible for
undermining democracy. These individuals can no longer travel abroad in peace—they
are harassed mid-flight, greeted at airports with derogatory slogans, and often followed to
their hotels or residences. Even during public events, speakers perceived to be aligned
with the alleged illegitimate regime are frequently interrupted, insulted, and publicly
shamed.
In response, the government resorted to repressive measures. The relatives of vocal
expatriate Pakistanis were reportedly detained and mistreated while the expatriates were
made to listen via phone—an intimidation tactic designed to silence dissent. Passports
and national identity cards of active overseas Pakistanis were suspended, barring them
from returning home. Laws were swiftly enacted to curtail digital speech, with social
media platforms blocked and internet speeds deliberately slowed during key protests.
These coercive actions were accompanied by an expansive state-led propaganda
campaign. The Ministry of Information, effectively reduced to an auxiliary arm of the
ISPR, was mobilized to downplay protests, suppress online dissent, and discredit critics.
Despite these efforts, the resolve of the overseas Pakistani community remained
unshaken. Rather than diminishing in strength, the protests gained momentum and
international visibility.
Realizing that intimidation alone was failing, the state pivoted toward engagement.
Delegations comprising serving and retired generals and senior diplomats were
dispatched to diaspora hubs to appeal for support. These officials implored expatriates to
differentiate between state institutions and individual actions, warning that criticism of
the army was tantamount to treason. The government’s outreach primarily targeted
embassy-affiliated individuals—those who maintain close ties with diplomats in return
for favors and visibility. These individuals, often viewed with suspicion by the broader
community, lack genuine grassroots legitimacy and are regarded as mouthpieces rather
than representatives.
These select figures were later included in choreographed trips to Pakistan, where they
were feted with VIP treatment and praised as “the lifeline of Pakistan.” These public
relations exercises, orchestrated and funded by ISPR, were designed to create the illusion
of overseas unity and support. Simultaneously, the government rolled out investment
incentives, preferential immigration procedures, and tax breaks for
expatriates—misguided attempts to purchase silence.
But this strategy ignored a fundamental truth: overseas Pakistanis are not fighting for
personal gains. They are fighting for the soul of their nation. Their commitment stems
from a deep emotional bond with their homeland and a belief in democratic values,
human dignity, and national justice.
Their agitation against the army was fueled by the perception that the civilian
government, judiciary, and parliament have been rendered powerless, acting only to
bolster military dominance and implement the vision of General Syed Asim Munir. His
leadership has come to symbolize the transformation of Pakistan into a "hard state"—a
nation where dissent is not debated but disciplined.
General Asim Munir’s thinking pattern to deal with dissent follows a strict, militarized
doctrine. He sees public demonstrations, political activism, and journalistic inquiry not as
democratic exercises but as threats to national cohesion. His public statements reflect an
unwavering commitment to rooting out what he describes as “internal enemies,” “foreign
agents,” or “facilitators” of chaos. Whether dealing with Baloch separatists, the TTP, or
dissenters on social media, his response framework remains rooted in control through
surveillance, suppression, and force.
This worldview—conditioned by years of counterinsurgency and military strategy—is ill-
suited for civilian governance. In his formulation, peace is imposed, not negotiated; order
is enforced, not earned. In practice, this leads to silencing voices, curbing freedoms, and
criminalizing criticism. Such a posture may be effective in battlefield logistics, but when
applied to civilians, it risks alienating populations and undermining the very fabric of the
nation.
This hardline approach overlooks the methods used by progressive and democratic
nations to resolve internal conflict: dialogue, negotiation, institutional reform, and civic
inclusion. When citizens are treated with respect and their voices are heard, peace
prevails. But when fear becomes a tool of governance, nations suffer: capital and talent
flee, innovation dries up, and cultural expression is stifled. Pakistan, unfortunately, is
heading down that path.
This internal repression mirrors a broader national crisis. In Balochistan, enforced
disappearances and heavy-handed military tactics have ignited a rebellion. Rather than
addressing long-standing grievances, the state continues to respond with brute force. In
Sindh, tensions over water rights have deepened provincial resentment, with no
meaningful resolution in sight. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is once again battling a surge in
terrorism, while Punjab reels from rampant political victimization of PTI leaders,
supporters, and even apolitical citizens.
The voice of the overseas Pakistani community is, therefore, not a disruption—it is an
extension of this national cry for justice. Their message is consistent: without restoring
electoral integrity, releasing political prisoners, and withdrawing military interference
from civil governance, Pakistan will remain unstable both at home and abroad.
The solution lies not in suppression but in reform. The judiciary must be independent,
political plurality must be safeguarded, and the media must be allowed to operate freely.
Cosmetic PR campaigns cannot mask the truth, and the diaspora sees through them. Their
activism is not for show; it is a principled stand for a democratic Pakistan.
No amount of choreographed visits, orchestrated praise, or economic incentives will
pacify a politically awakened diaspora. The state has gravely misjudged their conviction.
These Pakistanis abroad are not mere remittance-senders—they are informed, connected,
and resolute agents of change.
The path forward requires a national reckoning. Real reform must replace propaganda.
Justice must replace intimidation. Dialogue must replace threats. Until that
transformation occurs, the voice of the overseas Pakistani community—amplified across
borders and continents—will continue to grow louder. And that voice, forged in
conviction and steeped in truth, cannot and will not be silenced.
