Overseas Pakistanis have long occupied a complicated place in the country's political and economic imagination. They are celebrated as the lifeblood of the economy, sending billions in remittances each year, but also viewed with increasing concern due to their political activism abroad — often manifesting in disruptive and sometimes aggressive ways.

From heckling politicians on foreign visits to orchestrated social media campaigns that malign Pakistan's image globally, segments of the diaspora have contributed to the worsening of Pakistan's already fractured political climate. These actions are not acts of democratic expression, but increasingly resemble a politicised diaspora acting on party lines rather than in the national interest.

The recent Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad attempted to address this growing disconnect between the state and its citizens abroad. Organised by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the event brought together representatives of the diaspora, members of the federal cabinet, and, significantly, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

The messaging was clear: the state sees overseas Pakistanis as critical stakeholders and is ready to reset the relationship on terms that go beyond mere transactionalism.

The convention offered a range of incentives: reintroducing green channel airport facilities, creating dedicated judicial mechanisms to resolve disputes faced by non-resident Pakistanis, extending tax filer status, and........

© The Express Tribune