Overseas supporters of jailed Pakistan ex-PM Khan amplify domestic protests abroad

Supporters of Pakistan's main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) extended their domestic campaign internationally and coordinated protests across various countries and major global capitals on Saturday and Sunday.

They gathered at prominent landmarks including London's 10 Downing Street and Mar-a-Lago, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's private residence in Florida, and also Capitol Hill.

Demonstrators gather in support of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan outside U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 23, 2024.Reuters

The protesters, both in Pakistan and abroad, are demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the reversal of February's contested election results, and the rollback of recent judicial reforms that they claim undermine the country's legal system.

Protests spanned nine European cities, with gatherings planned at strategic locations including embassies, central squares, and government buildings, while the movement's reach extended across the Pacific with simultaneous rallies in Japan and Vancouver, Canada, among other international locations.

In North America, supporters gathered at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Saturday and demonstrated near Capitol Hill on Sunday.

The international demonstrations proceeded peacefully, with local authorities permitting protesters to gather without imposing restrictions or barriers.

This stands in stark contrast to Pakistan, where authorities have employed state resources to forcefully suppress protesters and silence dissent.

Police officers sit on motorbikes with shipping containers in the background, used to prevent an anti-government rally by supporters of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in Islamabad, Pakistan November 24, 2024.Reuters

These global demonstrations by PTI have captured significant international attention, showcasing both the Pakistani diaspora's mobilization and the party's success in elevating Pakistan's political crisis to worldwide prominence.

The protests coincide with Imran Khan's ongoing legal challenges and PTI's continued resistance to the current government. The strategic choice of protest locations, particularly Mar-a-Lago, has fueled extensive discussions about potential shifts in international perspectives on Pakistan and Khan's situation under the incoming Republican administration.

As PTI leaders and supporters expect these international demonstrations to significantly shape both domestic politics and global perceptions, Nuktaconsulted multiple experts for their insights on these developments.

Strong mobilization

"Yes, these protests undertaken by a Pakistani political party against the regime at home are unprecedented in their size, scale, and speed," political and international affairs expert Mushahid Hussain Syed told Nukta. "Such mobilization of the Pakistani diaspora has never been witnessed before."

"When you have big demonstrations in front of such strategic locations as 10 Downing Street, London, or Mar-A-Lago, Florida, the issue comes on the radar screen of policymakers and there are definite policy implications, both for the regime & the regime's victim!" he said.

Syed argues the protests reveal Imran Khan's remarkable influence among Pakistani communities across Europe and North America and PTI's sophisticated overseas organizational structure. He thinks PTI has exposed the government's political weakness, as it resorts to administrative suppression rather than engaging in meaningful political dialogue.

Political analyst Hassan Askari told Nukta that the recent protests have damaged Pakistan's global standing and further tarnished its international reputation. "The confrontational politics that already exists in Pakistan will only worsen," he said.

Askari noted how modern communication technology has magnified these protests' global visibility. "Protests have occurred in the past, but on a smaller scale. Now, news spreads rapidly," he said.

On the other hand, he downplayed the protests' immediate influence on U.S. policy toward Pakistan under the Trump administration. "We will have a clearer understanding of U.S. policy after the Trump administration takes office in January," he concluded.