‘Consensus, dialogue must for political stability’

Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday stressed the need for developing consensus and initiating dialogue for political stability in the country.

Talking to the media after appearing before an accountability court here, he said that political stability was a responsibility of all stakeholders. “The federal government alone could not bring about political stability if the provincial governments did not cooperate,” he added.

He questioned whether the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab governments extended cooperation to the federal government during the recent floods, adding that they did not bother for even coordination though they were supported by the centre.

He said that differences exist between the governments, but they should become one on the public and national issues.

Rafique said that for steering the country out of crises, all political parties, judiciary and establishment would have to come together on one point. He said that resolution of the economic crisis was the biggest challenge and it was only possible through a charter of economy.

All political parties must reach consensus on a charter of economy, which should also be backed by the state institutions, he suggested. He said that no one could be excluded from politics through imprisonments or disqualifications.

The federal minister said that Imran Khan had pushed the country to the brink of default and it was a great success of the coalition government to save it from further disaster.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2023.