Imran Khan's call to halt remittances stands firm, maintains protest stance: PTI

PTI's negotiation committee spokesperson Sahibzada Hamid Raza has said that party leader Imran Khan will continue urging overseas Pakistanis to withhold remittances as a form of protest while expressing his willingness to forgive all injustices done to him.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail alongside other committee members on Thursday, he stated that the former prime minister remains resolute in his stance despite the challenges faced by his party.

Raza revealed that under the leadership of Omar Ayub, the PTI negotiation committee met with Imran Khan earlier in the day.

He reiterated that the call to overseas Pakistanis to withhold remittances remains active as a protest against the alleged suppression of PTI’s rights, the suspension of civil and human rights, and what he described as the theft of the party’s electoral mandate.

The spokesperson stated that PTI aims to conclude negotiations with the government by January 31, 2025, a deadline that Ayub will formally communicate.

He added that Khan has expressed full confidence in the K-P CM and praised parliamentarians and workers for standing firm against oppression, calling them his pride. The PTI founder also directed immediate action to resolve the Kurram Agency issue.

Raza outlined two primary demands from the negotiation committee. First, the formation of judicial commissions to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents.

He stressed the importance of inquiries led by senior-most judges, adding that CCTV footage should be released to identify those responsible for instigating violence during the May 9 riots.

He said the November 26 incident, which resulted in 13 deaths and 64 injuries, was an attack on democracy and also warrants a thorough investigation.

The second demand focuses on the release of party members detained in various jails across the country as Raza stressed that their freedom is central to the party’s agenda, as is the release of Khan himself.

He clarified that the PTI founder’s release would be secured through legal and judicial channels, not through any deal and expressed frustration over Khan’s continued detention despite previous court orders for his release, noting that new cases are filed to prolong his imprisonment.

On regional matters, Raza said that Khan condemned recent airstrikes in Afghanistan and stressed that Pakistan cannot be part of any foreign conflict. He urged for all disputes with Afghanistan to be resolved through dialogue.

Raza concluded by announcing that PTI will present its demands to the government in a scheduled meeting on the second of next month, reiterating the party’s commitment to finding a constitutional and peaceful resolution to all issues.