Political Asylum by Pakistanis

Majyd Aziz

Political asylum is one of the human rights affirmed by Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and rules of international human rights law. All countries who have agreed to the United Nations Conventions relating to the Status of Refugees must let people, who do qualify, come into their country. This narrative discusses the linkage between citizens of non-industrialized, extremely poor, marginalized nations and granting of political asylum by a vast majority of industrialized, rich, and prosperous countries. It is not unusual for citizens living in Third World countries, whether in a monarchy, despotic or people's government system, to fear physical harm, to suffer personal indignation, or face persecution on account of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. 

Whether a person has a docile connection to the victimized section or whether a person is bold, outspoken and adheres to his or her principles, both are vulnerable to the consequences of their actions. There comes a time when the risks become over-bearing and the decision has to be made between staying steadfast on  ground or to succumb to the will of those they have an issue with or to remove themselves from the touchy arena. The third choice is the final but heart-breaking one. Leave the motherland and seek consolation in alien shores. This means applying to another country for asylum, in short, political asylum.

Political asylum is an international tool used mostly by First World countries supposedly to protect persecuted citizens of the Third World. Notwithstanding this humane gesture, it is more often than not, a blatant interference and disregard of sovereignty of another country. Genuine hardship cases are understandable and have merit but those who obtain political asylum by taking advantage of laws or connive with foreign elements to achieve it are, in essence, really not worthy of being global citizens. Many political asylum seekers are in actuality economic migrants. 

There are many cases of Pakistanis taking this route. There is a marked difference between desiring political asylum and finding ways into another country for a better life for family and self. After the disastrous nationalization of schools and colleges by Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto and then the military takeover by Gen Zia ul Haq, a large number of Anglo-Indians (the Christian community primarily based in Karachi) migrated to Canada, USA and other western countries. The political asylum option may have been exercised in some instances. Since the last few years, there has been a systematic exodus of affluent Sindhi Hindus, businessmen and professionals, to India. The Wagah-Attari border is the preferred route. Expatriates in UAE reveal that around 1200 to 1500 Memon families have transferred themselves and their assets to Dubai. 

The option of political asylum has been routinely exercised by such communities as the Pakistani Ahmedis, who have suffered enormously due to attacks on them, their properties, and their places of worship by extremists and zealots. They have been granted asylum in North America and Europe, where they are valued contributors to the economy and, due to freedom from religious persecution, take keen interest in propagating their religious beliefs. 

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yusufzai is a globally famous case of someone who has been granted asylum and showered with innumerable awards, financial support and hyped media prominence. A terrorist attack on her and her schoolmates changed her whole life and put her on world center stage. Malala has gained international celebrity status but a vast number of Pakistanis, especially those living in UK, has been turned off with her subsequent actions. Her father is mostly being blamed, and it is the opinion of her detractors that she was too young to do maneuvers for herself but that it was his evil self-interest that bartered an innocent soul for worldly gains. He took advantage of the circumstances to land a cozy job as education attaché in the Pakistan High Commission in UK drawing a £ 4000 salary per month but never attending office. Malala, if she finds time, attends a school in Birmingham for which Pakistan government is paying another £ 4000 per month. A staff member at the High Commission revealed that the Yusufzai family did not even bother to attend the 23 March and 14 August functions despite reminders.

Raza Rumi, a distinguished scholar, TV anchor and a prolific writer, saw his life in Pakistan threatened and shattered. His car was ambushed and fired upon. His driver died due to gunshots while he survived miraculously. Heeding sane advice from his mentors and family, he too took the next plane and found himself in Washington. As Rumi himself admitted, there were whispers among many social activists that his ultimate goal was political asylum and that he staged the attack with this in mind.

Then there are politicians and nationalists who too applied for political asylum. Some just fade away from the scene while there are high-profile exiles who manage to have a mesmerizing hold over their followers from across the seas. Balochistan has had a major share of these exiles that are nestled comfortably in Europe or North America. These nationalist leaders regularly issue menacing threats to the government while exhorting their followers to undertake terrorist activities in their Province. The government has prepared a thick dossier linking these nationalists with neighboring countries who provide them with financial assistance, military hardware, prominent media exposure, and more importantly, with terrorism strategies. Yet, their host countries turn a blind eye despite protestations by Islamabad.

Serious life threats forced the supreme leader of a major ethno-political party to leave his famous residence in Karachi, migrate, and rule over his huge number of followers from his base in London. Having become a British citizen after obtaining political asylum, he has never set foot on his native shores. His long hours of telephonic addresses through TV channels and his oratorical mastery continue to galvanize his followers but a judicial ruling put an embargo on his use of the media in whichever form. Despite this, representatives and leaders from various political parties make a beeline to his residence in London to solicit his support.

Another group within the top echelons of political parties or bureaucracy has managed to stay for extended periods in Dubai. It is a fact that though one may apply and get foreign nationalities, this is rarely possible in Dubai. Moreover, a person may apply for tourist, student, medical, conference, family, or investor visa or a work permit (work visa). Each visa has its own prescribed clauses. It is surprising to read that many politicians or bureaucrats maintain their official positions in Pakistan but prefer long-term stays in Dubai. Is it accurate to say that some of them are there on work permits? Is it accurate to say that some of them have investor visas? If they are on investor visas, is their investment disclosed to FBR in income tax returns and wealth statements? If they are on work permits, then this is violation of international laws and the Pakistani government can lodge a complaint to UAE government and challenge this at UN. However, this is unlikely unless concerned activists file a case in the Pakistani courts. 

When things become too hot to handle at home, most of those who prefer the self-motivated desire to be in Dubai, ideally suited for them because of the prevailing greed factor even there, this self-imposed short-term asylum enables them the social and economic comfort and the appreciation to relish the loot they accumulated. This is not a forced asylum with its difficult consequences but an asylum brimming with benefits and privileges. But then, “As long as there are people in exile, there will be people who want to get back to their native soil”. ― Warren Eyster, The Goblins of Eros