Whose Voice Speaks for Pakistan?

In an era of global interconnectivity, dissent is no longer confined by borders. Yet, the recent tweet by Mehlaqa Samdani — urging U.S. diplomat Erik Meyer to prioritize democracy and human rights during his April visit to Pakistan — raises a pressing question: When do overseas concerns for rights and reform begin to undercut national momentum and local aspirations?

Samdani, a dual-national commentator based abroad, framed her message as a call for accountability. But in doing so, she also cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s efforts to rebuild its economic standing, just as the country gears up to present its mineral wealth and investment potential at the 2025 Investment Forum. Her intervention may seem principled, but its timing and tone are telling — echoing a broader pattern where diaspora voices, however well-intentioned, end up amplifying narratives that risk deterring the very lifelines Pakistan needs.

Let’s be clear: democracy and human rights are not optional ideals. They are foundational to Pakistan’s long-term success. But there is a difference between constructive advocacy and detached condescension. For the millions of Pakistanis navigating the realities of inflation, unemployment, and economic insecurity, the stakes are not theoretical. They are urgent, daily, and unforgiving. Calls to “prioritize democracy” ring hollow when they arrive without accountability to the economic costs they may impose.

Pakistan today is not a monolith, nor is it without flaws. But it is also a nation of strivers — from the engineers working to harness Thar coal, to the tech entrepreneurs in Islamabad building global startups, to the young miners in Balochistan hoping for dignified livelihoods through lawful foreign investment. These are not pawns in a geopolitical morality play. They are agents of change whose future should not be jeopardized by critics who operate from the safety of foreign shores.

Foreign citizenship grants freedom of speech, but it does not absolve one from responsibility. When voices like Samdani’s, however sincere, echo more loudly in Washington than in Waziristan, whose interests are truly being served?

It is vital to defend democratic principles. But that defense must begin with empowering Pakistanis — not discrediting national efforts to create dignity through development. Real reform grows from within, not from pressure applied through op-eds, tweets, or think-tank panels oceans away.

The diaspora has an important role to play in Pakistan’s future. But it must be grounded in humility, solidarity, and a willingness to listen — not just speak. As Pakistan tries to open its doors to global investors and reposition itself as a regional economic hub, we cannot afford to let our story be narrated only by those who no longer live its realities.

Pakistan’s progress depends on voices rooted in its soil — the workers, youth, and entrepreneurs shaping the country’s future from the ground up. Their aspirations deserve more than critique. They deserve trust.