TODAY’S PAPER | April 08, 2026 | EPAPER

Goldsmith family's assault on Pakistan's national interests

There is no room for leniency and leverage for nefarious elements, which compromise national interests


Azma Bukhari March 29, 2026 4 min read
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari. PHOTO: FILE

Respect, honour, and prestige of one's homeland and its national interests, especially the interests which are directly linked to the sovereignty, image, and standing of a country on the global scenario, are the most cherished, close to the heart, and above all, of paramount significance for any citizen who loves his motherland with unflinching loyalty.

This is essentially the red line that cannot be crossed. No country in the world tolerates violations of these red lines. Individuals who exploit national interests to fulfil personal agendas and political ambitions cannot be considered true well-wishers of the country; rather, they operate under a specific design aimed at harming the state.

There is no room for leniency and leverage for such nefarious elements, which compromise national interests and whose acts and words are detrimental to their country's image and prestige in the international arena.

We have numerous examples from Western countries where those involved in damaging national interests and state property have been dealt with strictly. Ironically, the same countries that lecture us on human rights often conduct summary trials and hand down swift punishments to such offenders within their own jurisdictions.

Read More: Jemima directly appeals PM Shehbaz to allow sons to meet Imran Khan in jail

Two recent glaring examples include the attack on Capitol Hill in the United States and the riots in the United Kingdom, where those involved were tried and punished within days.

From 2018 to 2022, Pakistan, unfortunately, witnessed a government that consistently prioritized personal interest over national interests. During its tenure, the leadership strained relations with friendly countries, staged the so-called “foreign conspiracy” narrative, misled the public through the cipher issue, and made statements against the European Union.

As a result, Pakistan’s relations with the United States, Europe, China, and several Middle Eastern countries deteriorated, pushing the country into diplomatic isolation.

However, once that period ended, Pakistan resumed its journey on the trajectory it had been following in 2017. In May 2025, India imposed a war on Pakistan. From May 6 to May 9, Pakistan demonstrated patience and restraint. On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar presented Pakistan’s case with strength and clarity.

Then, on the morning of May 10, Pakistan compelled India to retreat within just four hours. This remarkable victory earned Pakistan a renewed global recognition, with major countries across the globe acknowledging the strength, resilience, and professionalism of its armed forces.

Through consistent efforts, Pakistan also secured the GSP Plus status from the European Union, which has been extended until 2027, revitalising the economy of our country. This status contributed to a 108 per cent increase in Pakistan’s exports to the European Union. Alongside this, industries including textiles experienced rapid growth, generating thousands of new employment opportunities.

This achievement came at a time when there were deliberate attempts to isolate Pakistan globally.
Recently, Kasim Goldsmith, son of the founder of PTI and Jemima Goldsmith, attempted to politicize Pakistan’s GSP Plus status during a United Nations Human Rights meeting.

He was supported by individuals, including Dr Usman, a cousin of the PTI founder, and former cabinet member Zulfi Bukhari. Also present at the event was Naseem Baloch, a leader associated with BNM, a subsidiary of BLA. Kasim Goldsmith’s sole argument was that his father’s imprisonment reflects human rights violations in Pakistan.

Also Read: Jemima slams govt's 'personal vendetta' against young Khans

However, Kasim seems unaware—or deliberately opted to ignore—that during his father’s tenure, political opponents were subjected to false and fabricated cases besides imprisonments. Daughters were arrested in front of their fathers to exert psychological pressure.

Rana Sanaullah faced fabricated narcotics charges, and attempts were made to invoke Article 6 against Khawaja Asif. After losing power, the same leadership orchestrated the failed events of May 9, targeting military installations and attempting to exploit Pakistani youth as fuel for their failed insurrection.

During this critical time, the PTI founder’s children were seen enjoying leisure abroad. Today, the same Goldsmith family appears to be engaged in economic sabotage against Pakistan. This is not new; similar attempts were previously made by the PTI leadership, including writing letters to the IMF to undermine Pakistan’s financial stability and staging protests outside the IMF headquarters. Despite these efforts, Pakistan has continued its upward trajectory.

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan is steadily achieving its economic goals and making progress across all sectors. Its diplomatic successes are being recognised even beyond its borders. Yet, the PTI founder, his family, and his party remain actively engaged in condemnable conspiracies against their own country.

Read This: Kasim urges UNHRC intervention to end Imran's persecution, detention immediately

The people of Pakistan have decided to move forward. The nation can no longer afford to tolerate such disruptive elements. The agenda with which these forces were launched remains incomplete, and they may go to any lengths to achieve their nefarious goals.

However, with the strength and support of the people, the commitment of the present government, and the blessings of Almighty Allah, we will thwart all such malicious designs, and Pakistan will continue to move forward on the path of social equality, poverty reduction, economic prosperity, and a strong defence of the motherland.

Pakistan Zindabad.

COMMENTS (2)

uz | 1 week ago | Reply What a dark face of democracy After coming to power with corruption by the establishment locking the Bani up since 2022 making judiciary a laughingstock arresting individuals when and wherever they want Fining a cricketer 20Mn what a joke the minister is trying to please her boss lady by writing such articles. Given their loyalty to the establishment the ruling parties can be assured of next few terms in the govt as well.
Salman | 1 week ago | Reply This article is not a serious defense of Pakistan s national interests. It is a crude state-aligned smear that weaponizes patriotism to silence legitimate criticism conflates family loyalty with treason and exposes the intellectual bankruptcy of those who equate questioning power with economic sabotage. Kasim Goldsmith spoke at a UN human rights session about his father s imprisonment and the politicization of GSP Plus. That is not economic sabotage. It is a son advocating for his father and pointing out that the EU s GSP Plus scheme is explicitly tied to human rights and governance standards. Highlighting alleged political victimization does not damage Pakistan the underlying realities do. True strength lies in fixing problems not silencing critics. The piece praises the current government s diplomatic and economic record while selectively attacking the 2018-2022 period. Yet it ignores how vague appeals to national interest have long been used across regimes to justify censorship selective accountability and suppression of opposition. Equating a British-Pakistani family s personal advocacy with a coordinated assault on the state is absurd. Jemima Goldsmith and her sons hold no official power. Their support for Imran Khan reflects human ties not treason.Pakistan s real challenges elite capture institutional overreach economic fragility and governance failures cannot be solved by demonizing exiles or former first families. GSP Plus is worth protecting but sustainable trade preferences require credible rule of law not demands for silence. Blaming the Goldsmith family for Pakistan s image problems is lazy deflection. Patriotism is not blind loyalty to the incumbent power. It is demanding accountability from every government under the Constitution. This piece offers slogans Pakistan Zindabad instead of substance. It exposes insecurity not confidence. Pakistan is resilient enough to withstand criticism without resorting to McCarthyite tactics against families exercising free speech abroad. The real assault here is on reason fairness and mature discourse not on national interests.
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