SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected reports of an offer to shift former prime minister Imran Khan to Islamabad residence. He said that shifting to Bani Gala is only ‘wishful’ thinking of Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI).
Talking to the media in Sialkot, he said that ensuing political stability in the country is the government’s top priority.
“Political peace and stability are crucial for self-reliance and economic growth,” added he.
Responding to a question, Khawaja Asif said shifting Imran Khan to Bani Gala is merely PTI’s wishful thinking.
He said that the government has made no such offer.”
Hitting hard at Imran Khan, he said that PTI’s party attempts to destabilise the country have failed at every turn. Their leaders’ claims hold no truth.”
He also criticised PTI’s call for civil disobedience to push the government for talks, he said that overseas Pakistanis are greatly contributing to the country’s economy and they rejected the PTI’s call to stop sending remittances.
“Overseas Pakistanis are greatly contributing to our economy by sending remittances home every month”, he said.
Imran Khan has been in jail since May 9, 2023.
Pakistan records surge in remittances
Yesterday, The State Bank of Pakistan released its remittances report for December 2024.
The State Bank said overseas Pakistanis sent $3.07 billion back home in December. The remittances sent by the Pakistani diaspora via official channels increased by 29.3 percent year-on-year and 5.6 percent month-on-month in December 2024.
Pakistanis living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sent the highest remittances during the last month of December last year.
The State Bank statement stated that the ‘workers’ remittances totaled $17.8 billion during the first half of fiscal year 2025, which is a 32.8 percent increase compared to the $13.4 billion received in the first half of fiscal year 2024. The workers’ remittances recorded 5.6 percent higher than the $2.92 billion in November 2024.
