Barrister Aqeel Malik, adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on law, has declared that the government will pursue extradition or repatriation of PTI protesters abroad who hold an “anti-state agenda.” Speaking on a televised program, Malik stated, “Interpol has been contacted by the interior ministry regarding these cases. Those who want to harm Pakistan by sitting outside [and protesting] will be brought back to Pakistan, whether through extradition or repatriation.” He emphasized, “Government has zero tolerance on this,” warning that any protest activities lacking substantiated evidence would prompt swift action in the coming days. This statement comes in the aftermath of prolonged tensions between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which have escalated over the past year.
After a series of stalled negotiations that began in December last year—focused on forming two judicial commissions and releasing PTI prisoners—the dialogue between the government and PTI has deteriorated. The failure to form the required probe bodies led PTI to boycott the fourth round of talks at the end of January, and both sides have since traded barbs. PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, currently abroad, remains a focal point of controversy as government representatives claim that his and other PTI protesters’ actions abroad are “creating problems” for Pakistan. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari even cited a protest in London during Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir’s visit, claiming that about 50 PTI supporters demonstrated in alignment with foreign agencies’ agendas.
Political Standoffs and International Implications
Amid these internal conflicts, key government figures have taken a hard line against the PTI. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently asserted that the party’s “violence-inciting politics” would soon render it irrelevant, while Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik ruled out any talks on pardoning PTI founder Imran Khan in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case, where the ex-premier and his wife face a 14-year jail sentence. Additionally, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stressed that decisions such as negotiations with the Afghan Taliban lie exclusively within the federal government’s domain, underscoring the centralization of power. In response to these assertions, PTI leaders have argued that high-level government officials, including the interior minister and the army chief, were involved in the decision-making process, questioning the legitimacy of unilateral measures by provincial bodies.
These contentious domestic standoffs are now intersecting with broader issues of transnational repression. The Pakistani government’s approach to suppressing dissent among its diaspora mirrors tactics used by other regimes worldwide. Previously, the government threatened that overseas British Pakistanis involved in “attacking” an ex-Chief Justice’s car outside the Middle Temple would have their passports and ID cards blocked—a warning that set a precedent for further repressive actions. More recently, Information Minister Ata Tarar warned that Pakistani Americans could face similar measures for their social media posts against state institutions, though he never cited a specific law to justify the threat.
Global Parallels in Transnational Repression
The tactics deployed by Pakistan’s government are part of a growing pattern of transnational repression, a phenomenon increasingly under scrutiny internationally. In the United States, the Department of Justice and the FBI have been actively exposing foreign influence operations targeting diaspora communities. Last year, U.S. Senator Merkley introduced the “Transnational Repression Act,” a measure aimed at curbing such practices, though it has yet to be passed. Similarly, in Canada, legislative steps have been taken to prevent foreign regimes from intimidating or persecuting dissenting voices within diaspora communities.
International organizations have also raised alarm over the plight of journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists facing repression abroad. In March 2024, CIVICUS added Pakistan to its watch list for escalating censorship and suppression of opposition voices. Amnesty International’s April 2024 report highlighted ongoing enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests, while Reporters Without Borders noted in May 2024 that Pakistan had dropped two places in its World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 152 out of 180 countries. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan similarly expressed deep concerns over the state’s heavy-handed response to dissent following the May 9, 2023, riots.
The FBI has estimated that around 3.5 million individuals globally are at risk of transnational repression—targeting journalists, activists, diaspora groups, and even family members of exiles.
Transnational repression is on the rise in the United States and across the globe.
The American people deserve to know if foreign governments are working to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals within the United States whom they view as hostile to their regimes.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) September 19, 2024
The Future of Dissent and Diaspora Rights
The Pakistani government’s recent moves to target PTI protesters abroad are a stark illustration of transnational repression in action. By threatening to extradite or repatriate dissenters, officials signal a willingness to extend state control beyond national borders, raising significant concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms for Pakistanis living overseas. Critics argue that these measures not only suppress legitimate political dissent but also create a chilling effect on free speech within diaspora communities, effectively curtailing the ability of exiles and activists to voice opposition to authoritarian practices.
As global awareness of transnational repression grows, diaspora communities and human rights advocates are calling for stronger international safeguards. The need for transparency and accountability in how foreign governments, including Pakistan, target dissent abroad is now more pressing than ever. With legislative efforts underway in the U.S. and Canada to track and counter such repression, the international community may soon hold repressive regimes accountable for violating the rights of their citizens, both at home and abroad. The coming months will be critical in determining whether measures to protect diaspora communities from transnational repression will gain traction, ensuring that the voices of dissent are not silenced by overreaching state power.