Imran Khan issues Appeal to Overseas Pakistanis

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has renewed his call for overseas Pakistanis to boycott sending remittances.

The PTI founder insisted that withholding funds would pressure the government.

He tweeted: “I once again urge Pakistanis living abroad to continue the boycott of sending remittances.”

Khan also accused the government of tightening its grip on citizens.

He further wrote that sending remittances will strengthen the government.

Imran Khan’s appeal aligns with the ongoing civil disobedience movement initiated by his political party.

The movement’s first phase focuses on urging overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances.

PTI’s Secretary of Information, Shaikh Waqas Akram, confirmed that the second phase would involve escalated actions if their demands remain unmet.

Khan has emphasised that PTI’s key demands include the release of political prisoners, including himself.

Another demand is the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, 2024.

Negotiations between the government and PTI, which started in December 2024, have hit a deadlock over these issues.

Criticism of Khan’s remittance boycott has emerged from various quarters.

At a press conference in London, former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, alongside ex-Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called the appeal inappropriate.

Ismail pointed out that overseas Pakistanis send money primarily to support their families.

He also noted that the boycott had not significantly affected remittance flows.

He further highlighted the dire economic situation in Pakistan, with 40% of the population living below the poverty line.

Ismail also compared Pakistan’s struggling economy to India’s, citing the success of Indian professionals in global corporations like Google and Microsoft.

He criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for focusing on retaining power rather than addressing the country’s economic challenges.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of overseas Pakistanis’ contributions to the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan has announced February 8, 2025, as a “Black Day” and called for protests and shutter-down strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

PTI leaders have warned that failure to meet their demands will lead to a nationwide civil disobedience movement.

As political tensions escalate, the government and PTI remain at odds, with negotiations showing little progress.

The country continues to grapple with economic instability, political unrest, and a deeply polarised population.

Imran Khan’s call for remittance boycotts reflects his unwavering stance against the current government.