PML-N leaders view talks with PTI as solution to prolonged crisis

LAHORE: Leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have voiced identical concerns about the prevailing political crisis in the country, pinning hopes on successful talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for putting the country on path to progress.

Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, who also serve as Adviser to the Prime Minister, believes that the problems Pakistan has been facing for the last 70 years can be solved within 70 days, if the heads of all three major political parties sit together for negotiations.

He, along with Khawaja Asif, and other party leaders was addressing a ceremony held to mark the death anniversary of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s father, Khawaja Muhammad Rafique.

On the occasion, Khawaja Saad Rafique stressed that Pakistan cannot overcome its political crises without resolving the tug of war between various political parties.

Emphasizing the need to move forward from a “remote-controlled democracy”, he argued that politicians should not be the only ones held accountable for their actions.

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Rafique expressed his concerns about the political practices in the country and criticized the recent rallies organized by a joint action committee in Azad Kashmir. He wondered why the AJK government accepted their demands, arguing that the practice of meeting demands of every pressure group holding protest demonstrations weakens the state.

Commenting further on Kashmir protest saga, he said: “What just happened this time that Kashmiris – whose hearts beat with the love for Pakistan – not only blocked Kohala bridge but also removed Pakistan’s flag from it?”

He claimed AJK prime minister was responsible for the crisis, questioning his election to the office. “Why a person, who has nothing to do with Kashmiri politics, was instated to the office?”

The former railway minister added that they had advised against such moves, but their concerns were ignored. “Who can question them and for how long will we be holding drawing rooms discussion on such issues? Now is the time that we must speak our minds.”

‘US-administration has no interest in Imran Khan’

Turning to the issue of PTI founder Imran Khan, Rafique dismissed the PTI supporters’ claims that the US president-elect Donald Trump would intervene to secure Imran Khan’s release.

“I will be very honest: the new US administration has no interest in Imran Khan. They are more focused on targeting Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and nuclear weapons, seeking to bring them under their control.”

He also reflected on the current political environment, saying, “We may not fully understand the depth of our own power, however the enemy is well aware of it. Can one remain silent and keep their eyes closed knowing that a trap is already being woven around them?”

Proposal for National Dialogue

Khawaja Saad Rafique proposed formation of a national committee, comprising of the top political leadership, including but not limited to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Dr Malik Baloch, Aftab Khan Sherpao, Pir Pagara, and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan—individuals who are neither part of the current government nor aligned with PTI. “This is a must to address the country’s political crisis.”

He called on senior political leaders to ensure that Pakistan gets back on track, warning that the exploitation of state institutions has been exacerbating the crisis. “We don’t know who is right and who is wrong, but the state institutions are being exploited, leading to reactions from both sides.”

Politics cannot die

The ex-PML-N lawmaker rejected the idea that the political influence of the top leaders like Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto could be diminished. Neither politics can just be buried down nor be stopped through undemocratic and non-political means, he said, and called for the abolition of such misconceptions.