Yes, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has officially launched the first phase of its Civil Disobedience Movement, which began on December 22, 2024. However, senior leaders of the party remain silent on the issue due to ongoing negotiations with the Shehbaz Sharif government.
The movement, initiated by PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, calls on overseas Pakistanis to boycott remittances in protest against the government’s failure to address several key demands, including the release of political prisoners and a judicial inquiry into past protests and riots.
While talks between PTI and a government-appointed committee are ongoing, party officials have made it clear that the civil disobedience campaign will continue unless Imran Khan orders its withdrawal. PTI’s information secretary Raoof Hasan emphasized that only Khan has the authority to end the movement.
The government’s response has been skeptical, particularly regarding the potential impact of halting overseas remittances. Despite this, PTI remains firm in its protest, focusing on garnering international financial support from Pakistanis abroad while continuing discussions with the government over its demands.
In the first phase, overseas Pakistanis have been requested not to send remittances to the country. In the next phase, people in the country may be urged to stop paying taxes and utility bills.