ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Pakistani government is facing accusations of employing transnational repression tactics, reportedly weaponising its judiciary and engaging in intimidation, coercion, and alleged extrajudicial killings to suppress dissent both domestically and abroad.

In early 2026, a Pakistani court convicted several journalists and political commentators, including former army officers, to life imprisonment in absentia. These charges were reportedly linked to the 2023 riots that followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan’s sustained popularity has been perceived as a continuous challenge to the country’s military-backed administration since his removal from office in 2022, leading to a significant crackdown on his supporters that has extended beyond Pakistan’s borders.

Alleged Incidents Target Overseas Critics

Further concerns emerged in late December when three prominent critics of the Pakistani military establishment reported incidents at their residences in the UK and US. Adil Raja, one of the journalists convicted in absentia and a former Pakistani army major, stated on social media that his London home had been broken into and ransacked by “unknown assailants”.

Days later, Moeed Pirzada, another high-profile journalist convicted by the Pakistani court, reported a potential arson attack at his residence in the United States. While Pirzada did not directly attribute the incident to the Pakistani state, the timing was noted by observers. A third incident involved a reported raid around the same period at the London home of Mirza Shahzad Akbar, Khan’s former adviser and a vocal critic of Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir.

While direct responsibility for these incidents remains unconfirmed, their occurrence shortly after the absentia convictions has prompted questions regarding potential state involvement. These individuals are perceived as capable of influencing public narratives concerning alleged corruption and human rights abuses by the Pakistani state.

Precedents of Transnational Operations

The alleged incidents are consistent with previous reports of the Pakistani state engaging in coercive operations beyond its borders. In 2022, a British individual was reportedly offered £100,000 to assassinate Waqass Goraya, an outspoken critic of the Pakistani military residing in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch intelligence subsequently moved Goraya to a secure location due to the credible threat.

During the same year, British Counter Terrorism Policing issued warnings to several political commentators of Pakistani heritage, including academic Ayesha Siddiqa, regarding credible threats to their lives. Additionally, in April 2022, Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was killed in Kenya, where he had been living in hiding to avoid arrest for criticising the Pakistani military. While Kenyan police initially attributed his death to mistaken identity, inconsistencies in their accounts led Pakistani investigators to conclude that a targeted assassination was the most credible explanation.

Military’s Influence and Diplomatic Fallout

Analysts suggest that transnational repression strategies have persisted through Pakistan’s political changes, indicating the military establishment as a primary driving force. The Pakistan Army reportedly prioritises maintaining its dominant position over other state institutions. This objective is believed to necessitate limiting public criticism, thereby sustaining the strategy regardless of the civilian government in power.

These recent developments risk damaging bilateral relations, particularly with the United Kingdom. In early December, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly requested the extradition of Adil Raja and Shahzad Akbar from British High Commissioner Jane Marriot, citing charges of “spreading propaganda” against Pakistan. If the alleged incidents on British soil are linked to the Pakistani state, such actions could significantly complicate future cooperation, especially given the absence of a formal extradition treaty between the two nations.

The UK has also been examining its relationship with Pakistan, particularly concerning organised groups involved in child sexual exploitation, many of whom are reportedly of Pakistani heritage. Pakistan’s cooperation on deporting individuals convicted of these crimes has reportedly been made contingent on Britain deporting Akbar and Raja, suggesting the military’s perceived threat from these dissidents.

Observers note that targeting dissidents abroad could inadvertently draw greater international attention to Pakistan’s domestic political landscape and its perceived erosion of civil society. These actions may amplify concerns raised by allies of former Prime Minister Imran Khan among Western lawmakers, potentially leading to diplomatic consequences for Pakistan.