The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the failure of its civil disobedience movement. PTI’s jailed founder, Imran Khan, had urged overseas Pakistanis to withhold remittances as part of the campaign. However, Pakistan’s remittances hit $3.1 billion in December 2024, marking a 29.3% year-on-year increase, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Bilal Azhar Kayani, Convener of the National Parliamentary Task-force on Sustainable Development Goals, said the surge in remittances was a clear rejection of PTI’s call. He praised overseas Pakistanis for their critical role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb echoed similar sentiments, congratulating the nation on the record-breaking remittances. She criticized PTI, saying that Pakistanis had rejected Imran Khan’s civil disobedience campaign.
PIA Resumes Flights to Europe
In another positive development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to Europe after a hiatus of more than four years. The first flight to Paris departed on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the national carrier.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the resumption of PIA’s European flights. He said it would greatly benefit overseas Pakistanis and restore the airline’s reputation. The suspension of flights had resulted in billions of dollars in losses for PIA. The PM credited the government for stabilizing the airline and ensuring it plays a key role in national progress.
Aurangzeb also celebrated the flight’s resumption, describing it as a step toward recovery from the damage caused during PTI’s tenure. She criticized the opposition for mismanagement and financial losses inflicted on the national carrier in recent years.
PTI Defends Its Stance
PTI leaders responded to PML-N’s claims, defending their position on remittances and economic issues. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said the impact of the party’s boycott call would become evident in the coming months. He highlighted that foreign remittances stood at $32 billion in 2022 but dropped to $27 billion in 2024.
Advisor to the KP Chief Minister on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, accused the PML-N government of borrowing excessively. He claimed that while PTI improved the economy during its tenure, the current government’s initiatives were ineffective. Aslam criticized the Uraan Pakistan programme, calling it hollow and unsustainable.
Despite PTI’s arguments, the PML-N emphasized its achievements, pointing to the record remittances and PIA’s recovery as evidence of economic improvement under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. The ruling party reiterated its commitment to national development and public welfare.
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