Saad Rafique calls for ‘Charter of Pakistan’ to end political polarisation

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday called for comprehensive negotiations between the government and opposition, urging all stakeholders to agree on a “Charter of Pakistan” to address the country’s political, economic and security challenges.

In a long post on microblogging site X, formerly Twitter, Rafique said it was “already too late” and warned that further delay in meaningful dialogue could prove costly for the country.

“Before it becomes far too late, comprehensive, multi-faceted and meaningful negotiations between the government and opposition have become essential,” he said, adding that the powerful establishment must also “play its part” in the process.

Rafique called for the formulation of a national agenda focused on Pakistan’s security, unity and development.

He said the proposed Charter of Pakistan should include adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, permanent safeguards against constitutional violations, transparency and justice, economic revival and a joint effort to combat terrorism.

He also called for an independent election commission and guarantees for transparent elections free from pressure, as well as a parliament that genuinely represents the people.

Ending political vendettas, eliminating corruption and ensuring good governance should also form part of the national agenda, he said.

Rafique further stressed the need for self-reliance in energy and water resources, equitable distribution of resources and a strong local government system.

He proposed a roadmap for the future centred on a “responsible and empowered judiciary”.

The PML-N leader cautioned that unchecked use of state or group power could quickly turn into “oppression and exploitation”, eventually causing those exercising such power to lose sight of their ultimate destination.

Read: Saad Rafique vows to secure Gilgit-Baltistan's 'constitutional rights', NFC share

“We have already lost our destination multiple times in our respective places,” he said, adding that everyone had played a role, according to their capacity, in the country’s deterioration.

He warned that the process was continuing unabated and was weakening Pakistan from within.

“For the sake of the country, wake up; recognise the facts; move forward; tolerate one another; talk; learn to coexist,” Rafique said.

He argued that Pakistan had already experimented with numerous political approaches without achieving lasting results.

“We’ve tried endless new experiments, but nothing has worked — now let’s try implementing the Constitution in accordance with its spirit,” he said, expressing hope that this would help the country find a way forward.