ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Religious Affairs Khail Das Kohistani on Sunday urged Leader of the Opposition Mehmood Khan Achakzai to prioritise national interest over personal loyalties and play a constructive role in parliamentary politics.
Speaking to a local television channel, Kohistani said Achakzai should actively engage in dialogue within the constitutional framework, stressing that key reforms, including those related to the National Finance Commission, could only move forward with the support of all opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Peoples Party.
He said Achakzai needed to rise above loyalty to PTI founder Imran Khan and focus on the broader challenges facing the country, which required consensus and cooperation across political lines.
The state minister emphasised that meaningful dialogue was only possible when all stakeholders demonstrated a cooperative attitude and placed the country’s welfare above partisan considerations.
Kohistani said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had clearly expressed readiness for dialogue, but warned that progress would remain stalled if the opposition leadership continued to follow rigid instructions and failed to adopt a flexible approach.
Referring to NFC and other constitutional reforms, he said such changes could not be implemented without taking all opposition parties on board. He added that broad-based consensus was essential to ensure that reforms were carried out smoothly and in a harmonious manner.
Kohistani concluded that cooperation and collective responsibility were critical for advancing constitutional reforms and strengthening democratic governance.
