The recent harassment of former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, in London has sparked a wave of outrage, not only among political leaders in Pakistan but also from the Pakistani-origin Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK. This incident, which occurred outside the Middle Temple, saw a group of protestors—reportedly supporters of the opposition party PTI—confront and intimidate the respected former judge during his visit to the city. 

The protest quickly escalated from a political demonstration into a hostile and aggressive encounter, raising important questions about the conduct of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK and how such actions impact Pakistan’s image abroad.

The protest outside Middle Temple was meant to voice political dissent against Qazi Faez Isa, whose rulings have often been controversial, especially regarding his stance on Pakistan’s military and political leadership. However, the way this dissent was expressed—through shouting, disruption, and intimidation—has sparked widespread criticism. It is one thing to disagree with someone’s views or actions, but it is entirely another to resort to personal attacks, harassment, and a public display of disrespect.

Reinforcing negative stereotypes 

Qazi Faez Isa, as a former Chief Justice, is a prominent figure in Pakistan's legal and political landscape, known for his unwavering commitment to judicial independence. For a group of overseas Pakistanis to engage in such aggressive behavior towards him not only undermines the dignity of a respected national figure but also damages the reputation of Pakistanis living abroad.

Following the incident, several Pakistani-origin MPs in the UK, including Afzal Khan and Yasmin Qureshi, were quick to condemn the actions of the protestors. Afzal Khan, a Labour MP, expressed his concerns, saying, "Democracy and the right to protest do not mean harassing someone. It was not positive. We should respect the rule of law and our leadership—judiciary, politics, or army—while they visit. Our focus should be on strengthening local politics to do something meaningful for Pakistan.”

Khan’s words underscore a critical point: peaceful protest is a right, but it must be exercised responsibly. Disrupting a public figure’s visit with hostile and disruptive behavior does not reflect well on the community or the cause being advocated for. Instead of promoting meaningful dialogue, such actions only reinforce negative stereotypes and create division.

Yasmin Qureshi, another prominent MP, described the attack as “intimidation and hooliganism,” expressing deep disappointment that such behavior is becoming more commonplace within the diaspora. She also drew a stark contrast between the violent nature of the PTI protestors and the peaceful tone of recent Palestine solidarity protests held in London, which were largely peaceful and focused on raising awareness, rather than inciting hostility.

Tarnishing Pakistan's image 

Qureshi’s statement highlights an important issue: while dissent is a crucial part of democratic expression, there is a significant difference between peaceful protests that aim to raise awareness or challenge policies and aggressive actions that seek to silence or intimidate others. It is this latter form of protest that has the potential to harm not only the individual involved but the wider community as well.

This incident also raises a more profound concern about the Pakistani diaspora in the UK and its role in representing Pakistan to the outside world. The diaspora, which is made up of millions of Pakistanis who have settled abroad, has the potential to serve as a positive force, strengthening ties between Pakistan and the West, advocating for Pakistan’s interests, and contributing to its development.

However, when small groups of individuals abroad resort to violent or disruptive protests, it tarnishes the collective image of the Pakistani community. These actions reinforce negative stereotypes about Pakistanis being politically volatile, emotionally charged, or prone to extremist behavior. This, in turn, undermines the positive contributions made by the majority of the diaspora, who are engaged in meaningful work to build bridges between Pakistan and their host countries.

Disruptive actions like the one targeting Qazi Faez Isa not only create division within the community but also make it harder to foster understanding and dialogue about Pakistan’s complex political situation. It is easy for outsiders to perceive such behavior as a reflection of Pakistan itself, perpetuating an image of a divided and unstable country.

In the wake of this troubling incident, it is clear that the Pakistani diaspora must embrace a more responsible, unified approach to political expression. As UK MPs have pointed out, disagreements should never lead to personal attacks or harassment. The Pakistani community abroad, especially in the UK, has a unique opportunity to contribute to the progress of Pakistan by promoting constructive dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Diaspora should reject divisiveness

Afzal Khan’s call to focus on strengthening local politics and contributing to the betterment of Pakistan is particularly significant. Instead of fostering division and hostility, the diaspora should be channeling its energy into promoting positive change, whether that be through civic engagement, supporting educational initiatives, or advocating for peace and justice in Pakistan.

The incident with Qazi Faez Isa should serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to represent Pakistan with dignity and respect, both at home and abroad. By embracing peaceful protest and respectful dialogue, we can help Pakistan present itself as a unified, progressive nation on the world stage.

The harassment of Qazi Faez Isa by a small faction of the Pakistani diaspora in London is not just an isolated incident; it is a reflection of a larger problem that continues to plague the Pakistani community—division, hostility, and a lack of respect for differing opinions. While this behavior may represent a small minority, it casts a shadow over the entire diaspora, undermining its collective reputation and its ability to act as a force for positive change.

It is time for the Pakistani diaspora to reject these divisive actions and instead focus on building a community grounded in respect, unity, and constructive dialogue. Whether in the UK or elsewhere, the diaspora has the potential to be a powerful voice for progress, but this can only be achieved if we come together in a spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

(The author is a visiting faculty at the Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, (IIUI). She holds an MS in Strategic Studies from Air University Islamabad. Views expressed are personal. She can be reached at saranazeer2@gmail.com )