Foreign Office Says Only Violence-Linked Overseas Protesters Have Been Identified
The Foreign Office said on 9 October 2026 that only people involved in violence have been identified among overseas embassy protesters. See what it did not say.
The Foreign Office said on 9 October 2026 that only people involved in violence or terrorism against the state have been identified among overseas Pakistanis who protested outside Pakistani embassies and consulates. It said they belong to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), and that everyone else keeps their freedom of expression.
A reporter at the weekly briefing asked whether missions had made lists of protesters and sent them to Pakistan. The reporter also said families travelling abroad were being stopped and some might be arrested at the airport. The spokesperson did not confirm any list of ordinary protesters, and did not confirm any airport arrests.
This article sets out exactly what was said, what was not said, and what an overseas Pakistani can check before flying home.
| Question put to the Foreign Office | What the spokesperson said |
|---|---|
| Did missions list overseas protesters? | Only those involved in violence or terrorism have been identified |
| Who are they? | Members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) |
| What about other protesters? | People have freedom of expression |
| Current situation in Azad Kashmir | "Perfectly normal", elections held, new government formed |
| Airport stops or arrests | Not addressed directly |
The Foreign Office drew a line between violence and protest
The spokesperson said only individuals involved in violence or acts of terrorism against the government, state apparatus, police or military forces have been identified. He said those individuals belong to JAAC. He added that other people have freedom of expression and sometimes express anger in different ways.
That is the full position given on 9 October. The Foreign Office did not publish a number, a list or a legal order. It did not say what action, if any, follows for those identified. We therefore cannot say what happens to any individual traveller, and we do not guess.
The airport question was raised but not answered
The question included a claim that families flying abroad were being stopped. The spokesperson's reply covered only who had been identified. It did not mention airports, boarding checks or arrests.
No Pakistani authority has published a notice that we could find on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press page about stopping overseas protesters at airports. So this stays an unconfirmed claim made in a question, not a reported fact. If an official notice appears, it will be on the ministry's page or the Interior Ministry's.
The ordinary entry and exit rules are unchanged by this briefing. They are covered in the guide on how to avoid being offloaded at a Pakistani airport, and in the report that an expired NICOP now stops you boarding a flight to Pakistan.
The spokesperson called the situation in Azad Kashmir normal
He said the situation is now perfectly normal, that elections were recently held and that a new government has been formed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Azad Kashmir election and the new president are covered in the reports on the AJK election result and Dr Najeeb Naqi's election as AJK president.
This is the ministry's description. We have not independently verified conditions on the ground, and the briefing did not explain what the protests were about.
What overseas Pakistanis should check before flying home
Check your travel documents and your own record, and use official channels if you have a problem. Do this before you buy a ticket, not at the airport.
- Check that your passport, and your NICOP if you hold a foreign passport, are valid. Airlines can refuse boarding on an invalid document.
- Register with your mission so that it can reach you in an emergency. The form and uploads are explained in registering with a Pakistani embassy online.
- If you have a legal worry, ask a lawyer in Pakistan before travelling. Do not rely on a message forwarded in a group chat.
- Keep copies of your tickets, visa pages and any official letters. If a problem arises, write down the time, place and the name of the officer.
- If you are an overseas Pakistani in Punjab with a property or service complaint, file it with the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission online.
Common questions
Did the Foreign Office confirm that overseas protesters are being arrested at airports?
No. A reporter raised the claim in a question. The spokesperson did not confirm it and did not mention airports in his reply.
Who does the Foreign Office say has been identified?
Individuals involved in violence or terrorism against the government, state apparatus, police or military forces. It said they belong to the Joint Awami Action Committee.
Does the Foreign Office say peaceful protest is allowed?
It said people have freedom of expression and sometimes express their anger through different means. It did not set out any legal test beyond that statement.
Where can an overseas Pakistani get help from a mission?
From the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate, and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Steps and numbers are in the guide on getting Foreign Office and embassy help.
Has any new rule been published for overseas Pakistanis travelling home?
We found none on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press page on 11 October 2026. The briefing was a spokesperson's answer, not a notification.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 11 October 2026, about 3:30 am PKT. All quotations and positions are from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs transcript of the press briefing on Friday 9 October 2026. We checked the ministry's press releases page for any related notice and found none.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
