British Pakistani activist Jehanzeb Paracha recently met with Andrew Pakes, the Labour and Co-operative Party MP for Peterborough. Paracha brought urgent attention to the severe human rights violations faced by British Pakistanis at the hands of Pakistani state agencies. Pakes, known for his commitment to human rights and advocacy during his tenure as President of the National Union of Students, was urged to champion this cause and pressure the British government into action.
Transnational Repression!
Don’t just sit. Fight back!
Thank you MP @andrewpakes_ for seeing me today to discuss the transnational repression that British Pakistanis are facing.
Looking forward to hearing from you further on the points we discussed and agreed upon.
Sara Mir… pic.twitter.com/entl4QQ8mR
— Jehanzeb Paracha (@JehanzebParacha) November 15, 2024
Transnational Repression and the Middle Temple Incident
On October 30th during a protest outside the Middle Temple in London, British Pakistanis demonstrated against former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Qazi Faez Isa, who attended a ceremony celebrating his election as a bencher. Isa is widely criticized for his unconstitutional decisions and for his role in subduing the judiciary to military power. His judgments have paved the way for the trial of civilians in military courts, ignored severe human rights abuses, and blocked cases related to injustices faced by Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
During the protest, as Isa and his wife departed in their vehicle under Met Police escort, protestors chanted slogans and gently tapped on the car. The police did not deem this as unlawful, reflecting the peaceful nature of the demonstration. However, the Pakistani military-backed government quickly escalated the situation, branding the peaceful protest as an “attack” and attempting to file baseless charges in London, which were reportedly rejected by the police.
Crackdown on British Pakistanis
Frustrated by the protest’s legality, Pakistan’s Interior Minister announced severe retaliatory measures. Utilizing facial recognition and the national database—headed by Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar—the government identified protestors and moved to cancel their passports and national identity cards. The implications were severe:
- Passport Control List Additions: The Pakistani authorities added the names of 23 British Pakistanis to the Passport Control List, effectively restricting their mobility.
- Expansion of the List: Subsequently, an additional 153 British Pakistanis were subjected to similar restrictions.
- Targeted Cancellations: Shayan Ali, the protest organizer, had his National Identity Card revoked, effectively rendering him stateless.
The cancellation of passports and IDs not only limits individuals’ mobility but also strips them of their right to access essential services. This tactic is a clear attempt to intimidate the diaspora and suppress political dissent beyond national borders.
Read More: Understanding Transnational Repression Act 2023
Harassment and Intimidation
The repression extended beyond administrative measures. Noman Iqbal, one of the protestors, experienced severe retaliation. Reports allege that his family in Pakistan was abducted, tortured, and coerced into forcing Iqbal to post an apology video on social media. In another instance, the home of protestor Sara Mir was raided, leaving the property destroyed.
Additionally, some British Pakistanis have reported surveillance and pressure from individuals linked to Pakistani agencies operating within the UK. These tactics include anonymous threats, social media harassment, and attempts to discredit activists through smear campaigns. These actions underline a pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent, even outside Pakistan’s borders. The implications of these measures are deeply troubling, as they signal an expansion of military influence into global Pakistani diaspora communities.
Context of Transnational Repression: Global Parallels
The Pakistani government’s tactics mirror cases of transnational repression that have been documented globally. The United States and Canada, for instance, have introduced measures to counter such practices. The U.S. Department of Justice, with active support from the FBI, has worked to expose and disrupt foreign influence operations that target diaspora communities. Canada, too, has taken legislative steps to address and prevent similar actions by foreign regimes.
Jehanzeb Paracha’s letter highlighted that the British government must adopt a similar stance. If left unchecked, these actions set a dangerous precedent where peaceful political activity and freedom of expression can be suppressed through targeted harassment.
A Call for Immediate Action
Paracha urged Andrew Pakes to push the British government, particularly the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), to take a strong stand against Pakistan’s actions. The FCDO and the British High Commission in Pakistan should demand that Islamabad reverse its decisions and end its campaign of intimidation against British citizens.
The situation calls for robust international condemnation and legislative action to ensure that British nationals are protected from state-sponsored harassment, regardless of their heritage or political views. As Paracha emphasized, “Today, it is a couple of hundred British nationals; tomorrow, it will be thousands.”
The UK, which prides itself on being a bastion of democratic values and human rights, must not remain silent while its citizens face targeted repression from foreign regimes. This is a moment for the government to uphold its commitments to freedom of speech and assembly, ensuring that diaspora communities can express their views without fear of reprisal.
Conclusion
The escalating pattern of transnational repression by Pakistani state agencies has reached a critical point that demands urgent action. The meeting between Jehanzeb Paracha and Andrew Pakes MP underscores the importance of immediate government intervention. The British Pakistani community’s call for protection is not just a plea; it is a test of the UK’s resolve to defend the rights of its citizens in the face of foreign political pressure.