Fawad Chaudhry. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The National Dialogue Committee (NDC), a platform led by former PTI leaders, on Friday proposed forming a national unity government comprising all political parties to pull the country out of the current political impasse.
At a press conference, NDC members Fawad Chaudhry and Mahmood Molvi, along with former minister Muhammad Ali Durrani and senior PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, urged the political parties to reduce hostility and return to the negotiating table.
The call for a consensus government came amid claims and counterclaims regarding a possible PTI government deal and controversy surrounding Imran Khan’s health.
Fawad said the NDC aimed to normalize the country’s political climate and warned that continued polarization exacerbated governance and economic challenges.
He claimed that the economic conditions had forced several international companies to leave Pakistan and cited financial reports showing that citizens are facing severe financial strain.
He added that political stability could not be achieved without dialogue between stakeholders, stressing that confrontation would only deepen national divisions.
“Pakistan needs a break to protect itself from chaos and the only way forward is to form a national unity government,” said Fawad, who served as information minister under the PTI government. He added that political tensions had not subsided over the past four years.
He said that while the government had made efforts, it had failed to diminish Imran Khan’s political stature. At the same time, he added that PTI and its leadership also failed to bring about the promised revolution, a situation that affects common citizens.
“I demand, from the NDC platform, the establishment of a national government in Pakistan, formed on the advice of Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other political heavyweights,” he said.
He also appealed to the establishment, saying the powers that be should facilitate dialogue between politicians to reduce political tensions, secure the release of political prisoners and build consensus on major reforms.
Commenting on Imran Khan’s health, Fawad said that the entire nation was concerned and that he should have immediate access to his personal doctors.
He said consulting doctors of his choice was Imran’s legal and humanitarian right and the authorities should allow doctors to assess his condition directly.
Durrani said the formation of a national government could provide a way forward to steer the country out of political impasse. “It’s not a new concept; historically it’s worked, whether it’s in the UK, Ireland or South Africa,” he said.
Barrister Saif highlighted two major challenges facing Pakistan: terrorism, which he said affects more than half of the population, and international developments, including the Gaza-Palestine situation, which may have long-term consequences.
“Reconciliation is essential in the current environment. Security challenges across large parts of the country make national unity more important than ever. Political tensions and hostile rhetoric must be reduced and all political leaders should engage in constructive dialogue,” he said.
Responding to questions about his contact with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Saif said: “I have been in touch with Mohsin Naqvi in the past but so far it has not yielded any results. I am still trying to get Imran Khan’s release.”
