NDC urges national govt, constitutional reforms

ISLAMABAD: Leaders of the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) on Monday called for the creation of a national government and broad constitutional changes, saying political stability, transparent elections and devolution to the grassroots were necessary to help the country navigate its current challenges.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the National Press Club, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, Muhammad Ali Durrani and Waseem Shahzad described the present arrangement as a defacto government rather than a dejure one. They also said future elections should be held on the basis of Form-45.

The NDC leaders further proposed a 28th Constitutional Amendment, saying it was needed to ensure effective implementation of the 18th Amendment and to transfer powers to the grassroots level. Alongside their political proposals, they congratulated the newly elected body of the Islamabad Press Club and held what was described as a detailed discussion on the country’s political, economic and democratic situation.

Call for political stability

Fawad Chaudhry said the NDC’s main aim was to promote stability, tolerance and improvement in Pakistan’s politics. He said the political atmosphere in the country had become sharply polarised and that political parties should settle their disputes among themselves.

Referring to his last meeting with the PTI founder, Fawad Chaudhry said he had stressed that politicians should avoid personal enmities and instead place national interest first. He also voiced concern over the economy, saying the country was confronting several crises at the same time.

Muhammad Ali Durrani and Waseem Shahzad joined him in pressing for a broader political arrangement and institutional reforms, with the committee presenting electoral transparency and decentralisation as central elements of its proposals.