Talks to continue even if Imran sentenced on 6th: Sheikh Waqas

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said on Friday that negotiations would proceed even if the founding chairman of the party, Imran Khan, was sentenced on January 6.

Speaking at a press conference, he said overseas Pakistanis had been asked to stop sending remittances in the first phase of the civil disobedience movement. He emphasised that under the current circumstances, calling for civil disobedience was inevitable.

“The first phase of the movement is underway and will continue. The call to halt remittances is aimed at opposing the government and the ruling elite. If overseas Pakistanis make this sacrifice for three months, it will be enough to topple the government,” said the PTI leader.

He said the call to stop remittances was not intended to promote illegal money transfer systems like hundi or hawala. He insisted that the PTI founder would return to the political arena through a judicial decision, not as part of any deal. “We are not asking for deals; we are demanding justice for our martyrs and prisoners,” he added. Sheikh Waqas alleged that the families of overseas Pakistanis were being threatened in the country. “The overseas Pakistanis will stop sending remittances if they are treated this way,” he said.

He said the first phase of PTI founder Imran Khan’s call for civil disobedience was directed towards overseas Pakistanis. “The first phase of the civil disobedience movement is going on and will continue,” said Sheikh Waqas, adding that it pertained to overseas remittances.

“Overseas Pakistanis are fighting for several rights, including the right to vote,” he said while defending his point of view. “Relatives of overseas Pakistanis are being blackmailed, arrested, and tortured,” he alleged.

He said talking about human rights was not interference. “It is a responsibility for everyone,” he insisted. “If the interests of overseas Pakistanis are not protected, why should remittances be expected from them?” he asked and alleged that expatriates were being threatened with passport cancellation.

The PTI leader said remittances from overseas Pakistanis contributed to the country’s economic development, but they were being harassed. He said overseas Pakistanis were disheartened and do not want to come forward now.

He said judicial inquiries into the May 9 and November 26 incidents and the release of detainees were the demands of the PTI founder. He added that the release of workers from military courts is neither a deal nor a goodwill gesture.

He emphasized that the PTI is not a militant organization but the country’s largest political party. “There is no reversal or compromise on the civil disobedience movement. It is conditional on the demands presented during the negotiations,” he stated.