Imran Khan again calls on overseas Pakistanis to boycott remittances

PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his call for overseas Pakistanis to boycott sending remittances, escalating political tensions as PTI faces off with the government. 

In a post on X Imran Khan said, “Once again, I urge overseas Pakistanis to continue their boycott of foreign currency remittances. Sending money to this government strengthens the very hands that are tightening the noose around your necks.”

The appeal comes as talks between the government and PTI have broke down followed PTI’s refusal to participate in talks without judicial commissions to probe protests on May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024.

Imran Khan also called for nationwide demonstrations on Feb. 8, marking the contentious 2024 elections as a “Black Day.” PTI alleges election rigging by the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan. Both entities deny the claims. 

“Prepare to observe a nationwide ‘Black Day,’” read another post from Khan’s account. “People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab should gather in Swabi for protests, while others must hold demonstrations in their respective cities.”

The May 2023 protests allegedly saw Khan supporters vandalising military installations. On November 26, 2024, protesters demanded Khan’s release, with the government claiming four troops were killed in the demonstrations. The PTI insists its supporters also faced casualties.

Since August 2023, Khan has been imprisoned on various charges, which he alleges are politically motivated to exclude him from power. Remittances from overseas workers, particularly from countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and the UK, remain crucial for Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy. Analysts warn that any significant impact on remittance flows could worsen the country’s fragile financial situation.