PML-N's Sana urges broader political dialogue

LAHORE:

Striking a rare conciliatory tone, senior PML-N leader and PM's Adviser on Political Affair Rana Sanaullah on Saturday called on the top political leaders of the country - PML-N's Nawaz Sharif, PPP's Asif Ali Zardari and PTI's Imran Khan - to sit together to steer the country out of its current crises.

Sana was one of the speakers at an event organised in Lahore to commemorate slain politician Khawaja Muhammad Rafique, the father of PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique.

At the event that took place amid the ongoing dialogue between the ruling PML-N and the PTI, the speakers recognised the urgency of the political dialogue while voicing their cautious support for committee level engagement between the two political rivals.

The former interior minister noted that according to his understanding if the dialogue is to move forward it must include the three big names of the political arena, Nawaz, Zardari and Imran.

"The committees won't be able to move forward without taking their respective leaderships into confidence [so why not include the leaders in the consultation process]," he said.

According to Sanaullah, the PTI demands of the PML-N to give up its government formed on the basis of rigged elections but the question is as to why the PTI did not give up their mandate when they were accused of the same crime.

While stating that his party wants the negotiation to succeed, Sana expressed some astonishment at the sudden change of heart at the PTI which till November 26 was staging a protest march in Islamabad to pressure the government into accepting its demands.

Addressing the event, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that he was never consulted on the question of engaging with the PTI as he cautioned his fellow leaders to remain on guard and to not to trust PTI founder Imran Khan, who, he said, is "eternally unfaithful".

Asif who was the closing speaker of the ceremony said he does not buy the idea of the PTI opening up to the dialogue process all of sudden.

He asked as to what changed in the last fifteen days that the PTI went from all guns blazing to pushing for negotiation. Just fifteen days back, they were bashing the government, and all of sudden they formed a committee unilaterally and knocked the NA speaker's door, he said.

"The PTI cannot be trusted. The PML-N is all for dialogue as we believe dialogue is the only way forward but it was difficult to buy the sudden change of heart in the PTI camp. Imran Khan is an unfaithful person, who has even betrayed his benefactors," he added.

On a lighter vein, he complained that he was not even consulted before the PML-N formed a committee to hold talks with the PTI, apparently referring to his opposing stance on the issue, saying that "they didn't even let me near this discussion".

He said the government's sincerity is unquestionable as it is entering in this dialogue from a position of power whereas the other side is beset with problems. "Their intention has to be seen with some skepticism," he said.

Khawaja Asif claimed that in Pakistan only three leaders sought western support—two of them, General Ziaul Haq and General Pervez Musharraf, were military dictators while Imran is the only political leader to do so. "The country is facing consequences of this tendency to seek western support."

He said the Jihad call in Afghanistan was all made up by a dictator to accentuate his rule in the country.

"A person who seeks help from the power [apparently USA] that is responsible for the death of fifty thousand Palestinian and devastation of five Muslim countries has no morals. Imran Khan is their stooge," he alleged.

Asif stated that all power centers should be included in the dialogue process. He claimed that all political parties have used the crutches of the establishment at some stage.

Bashing the judiciary, he said people should thank lord that Pakistan has survived for 75 years with this kind of judiciary. He said the adage that people should engage judges not lawyers is correct.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said his office has a limited role in the dialogue process. "I appreciate the government for agreeing to the dialogue process. This dialogue process should also include a charter of economy," he said.

Bashing PTI supporters residing the west, he said that those who could not say a word regarding Genocide in Gaza or occupation of Kashmir are working against the country's interest.