Editorial
Overseas Pakistanis play a dual role in the national imagination — hailed as economic lifelines for sending billions in remittances, yet increasingly viewed with unease due to their politicised activism abroad. While their financial contributions remain essential, their growing influence in Pakistan’s volatile political discourse has sparked concern.
From heckling politicians during foreign visits to spearheading online campaigns that damage the country’s global image, segments of the diaspora have crossed the line from democratic engagement to partisan disruption. The recent Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and attended by Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, signals an attempt to reset this fraught relationship.
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The state offered tangible incentives: expedited services at airports, tax filer privileges, dedicated legal mechanisms for dispute resolution, and scholarships. These promises aim to address long-standing grievances, particularly around property and bureaucracy. But beyond these reforms lies a deeper strategy — one of economic necessity and image rehabilitation. With Pakistan facing an economic crunch, collapsing investor confidence, and a massive debt repayment cycle, mobilising overseas Pakistanis is more than symbolic — it’s strategic.
However, the political context is hard to ignore. The diaspora, heavily aligned with parties like PTI, has become a loud political force. Their activism, at times confrontational and misinformed, has strained Pakistan’s diplomatic standing. The convention, therefore, also serves as a subtle course correction — a reminder that overseas Pakistanis are stakeholders in the nation, not proxies in political battles.
With record remittances reaching $4.1 billion in March 2025, their role is critical. But influence must come with responsibility. For any real progress, the state must offer institutional support, while the diaspora must embrace constructive, non-partisan engagement. Only then can overseas Pakistanis evolve from political disruptors to true partners in national recovery.
