Thu Apr 17 06:12:25 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan’s Government Courts Diaspora Support in Bid to Counter Imran Khan’s Influence

**Islamabad, Pakistan** – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is making a concerted effort to win over the country’s vast diaspora, a move widely seen as a direct challenge to the influence of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. At the Overseas Pakistanis Convention, Sharif announced a range of benefits aimed at attracting their support, including specialized courts, educational quotas, streamlined immigration, and tax breaks. He also pledged to annually honor 15 prominent Pakistani expatriates.

Khan’s PTI party has traditionally enjoyed strong support among the diaspora, particularly in the UK and US, giving it significant leverage in Western capitals and shaping international perceptions of Pakistan’s political landscape. Analysts believe Sharif’s outreach is a strategic attempt to counter this influence and bolster his government’s image.

The diaspora’s lobbying power has been evident in recent events. Following Khan’s arrest, the diaspora’s efforts led to a US Congressional hearing on Pakistan’s democracy and prompted calls for intervention in his case. Experts acknowledge the diaspora’s effectiveness in influencing policy, particularly in the United States, where it wields considerable political weight.

However, recent remittance figures suggest a potential shift. Despite Khan’s calls for a boycott of remittances to the “corrupt regime,” Pakistan received record-high remittances in 2024, exceeding $34 billion. This contradicts claims of monolithic PTI support within the diaspora. While analysts agree that the government is keen to build a new narrative and engage with different segments of the diaspora, the record remittances suggest that the government’s efforts to woo the diaspora are not merely politically motivated but also stem from a need to encourage investment and boost the national economy.

Despite the government’s optimistic view of the “brain gain” from emigration, concerns persist about the ongoing exodus of skilled Pakistani citizens. The success of Sharif’s strategy remains to be seen, particularly given the ongoing political turmoil and economic uncertainties within Pakistan.

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