Saad Rafique urges new charters on democracy and economy

LAHORE: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday called for a fresh Charter of Democracy and Charter of Economy, saying political parties would need to move towards reconciliation and dialogue as the country faces terrorism, economic strain and growing political polarisation.

Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, the former federal minister said Pakistan’s political stakeholders would ultimately have to sit together to lower instability and tackle national challenges. He stressed the need to reduce tensions in the political environment and said recurring incidents of violence and terrorism demanded a wider national understanding.

Saad said the government and the opposition should develop consensus on major national matters, particularly security and the economy. He maintained that all political forces that accept the Constitution should be engaged through the political process, and added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could not keep avoiding talks with rival parties indefinitely.

Referring to the need for dialogue, he said: "If enemies can be reconciled internationally, then political forces within Pakistan can also hold dialogue."

Call for political consensus

Saad also argued for constitutional protection for local governments, saying the repeated dissolution of local bodies had weakened governance and intensified grievances in smaller provinces. While he said he supported smaller provinces in principle, he opposed proposals that focused only on dividing Punjab, and said all provinces should be treated on an equal basis.

Defending PML-N president Nawaz Sharif’s silence over his removal from office, Saad said: "People say Nawaz Sharif does not speak. How much more should he speak? He has already paid enough price for it."

He also remarked: "Our party people do not speak. I do. That is why I have kept myself free."

Remarks on nuclear programme

Later in his speech, Saad turned to regional and international matters. He praised Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests and credited the armed forces, scientists and political leadership with safeguarding the country’s nuclear programme despite international pressure and the economic difficulties prevailing at the time.