IN the last few years, several visiting Pakistani public figures have faced verbal abuse and physically intimidating beha-viour in London at the hands of the supp-orters of the main opposition party, which is by now notorious for its cult-like hold on its followers.

Recent verbal harassment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by a bunch of overseas Pakistanis in London negat-ively portrayed Pakistan as a nation of hoodlums. The only reason they limited themselves to verbal assault was because they knew they would be arrested if they went physical.

In another nasty episode, the goons attacked verbally and were even found involved in physical intimidation of the former chief justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa. Unfortunately, the cult has brainwashed the young, transforming them into extremists.

The party’s supporters are attacking people, and properties of every political rival worldwide, and these attacks in London were just two examples of their violent campaign.

Moreover, the incarcerated former prime minister clearly feels violence is justified. In fact, during his time in office, he had even tried to rationalise terrorism, making a case in support of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and allowing thousands of terrorists to enter as well as resettle in Pakistan.

As such, his speeches have always been full of threats and verbal attacks against his rivals. His supporters have taken up physical violence worldwide. It is time for stringent measures to curb the trend that is bringing a bad name to the country.

Maryam Siddique
London, UK

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024