• PML-N leader says govt is sincere in dialogue with PTI
• Asif calls for new social contract involving all ‘power centres’, including military and judiciary
• Saad takes exception to ‘remote-controlled democracy’, seeks end to ‘non-political means’ in politics
LAHORE: As talks between the government and the opposition PTI move forward, PML-N stalwarts proposed a comprehensive dialogue involving all stakeholders to find a solution to multiple crises prevailing in the country.
Speaking at a seminar on Saturday to mark the death anniversary of Khawaja Mohammed Rafique, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah proposed a new charter of democracy among PML-N, PPP, and the PTI, stressing the need for politicians to sit together.
Khawaja Rafique, father of PML-N leader Saad Rafique, was an activist of Pakistan Movement.
“It is very important that political players admit the mistakes they committed (regarding joining hands with the establishment),” he said, adding PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, and PTI founder Imran Khan should sit together to overcome crises the country is facing today. “...when the supremos of three parties sit together, the crises the country has been in for the last 70 years will be overcome within 70 days,” he said at the event.
The PML-N leader referred to the ‘Charter of Democracy’ signed between Nawaz Sharif and PPP’s slain leader Benazir Bhutto, saying both leaders had accepted their mistakes to move forward. “Today the PTI claims that its mandate was stolen and should be returned. But why did it not speak the truth about whose mandate it had in 2018?” he said while referring to the 2018 elections.
Rana Sanaullah, however, stressed that the government was sincere in the dialogue with PTI, saying that was the only way to move forward. “The only way forward is for politicians to sit down and resolve matters. Nawaz Sharif has already said that the current national crisis cannot be resolved until everyone sits together,” he added.
‘New social contract’
On the other hand, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, calling for a new social contract, suggested that all ‘power centres’, like the army, the judiciary, and the bureaucracy, should also be a part of negotiations to find a solution to the country’s problems.
“I have a suggestion that all the power centres should be part of the dialogue, as this is not just the politicians’ problem… There’s the army, the bureaucracy, the politicians, the judiciary, the media, and the big businesses; they are the power centres. They should sit down and find a solution to the country’s problems,” he proposed.
The defence minister questioned PTI’s change of mind for agreeing to hold talks with the PML-N after constant refusal for about two years. “They (PTI) used to say that they (PML-N) have no authority, and we will talk to those (military establishment) who have the authority. Why now? What has happened in the past 15-20 days that the PTI has agreed to talk? Will someone tell me what the secret behind this is?” he asked and added he was in favour of talks.
The PML-N leader also criticised Imran Khan for allegedly being “untrustworthy”.
“Tell me who has Khan been faithful to throughout his life? Imran uses people. Don’t get used while holding talks with the PTI… I am warning you,” he advised the government committee, but quickly added that he wanted the negotiations to be successful.
Khawaja Asif also complained that he was not consulted by his party for the talks with the PTI. He sarcastically said that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had special ties with PTI
He also castigated the judiciary saying what the judges had done in the name of justice was catastrophic. “Those who gave the verdict against Bhutto — their successors should apologise. We need to create traditions in our politics — our judiciary lacks traditions too. A Supreme Court judge takes Rs1.6 million in salary. If a judge dies, his widow continues receiving a pension,” he added.
‘Remote-controlled democracy’
Disgruntled PML-N leader Saad Rafique said Pakistan was caught in three forms of remote-controlled democracy – military control, dictatorship in political parties, and judicial dictatorship – which prevented the country from progressing. “If this continues, many will become irrelevant. Everyone believes the country should run according to their will. Everyone has been exposed. If these conditions persist, new realities will emerge.”
He suggested that multiple rounds of negotiations might be necessary. “Everyone must think about how to put the country back on track. No one can eliminate another in politics. The politics of Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are still alive today. Political battles cannot be fought through non-political means,” he added.
Expressing his frustration, Mr Rafique said, “I wasn’t heard back then, and I am not being heard now. Political dialogue has begun, and we support it. These negotiations should be unconditional. We may continue to criticise each other, but discussions must remain serious. I expect the talks to be sincere, and some resolution may emerge.”
He also said that it was not Imran Khan but former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex-chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar who sent him to jail during the PTI government. He blamed Gen Bajwa, ex-CJP Nisar and Imran Khan for prevailing crises.
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the greatest challenges regarding terrorism were in KP and Balochistan.
“We all know who is supporting this terrorism and from where. Billions were spent on Zarb-i-Azb and Raddul Fasaad operations. Security forces made immense sacrifices. What happened in November 2021 that brought terrorism back to KP and Balochistan?” he asked.
Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2024
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