Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah emphasized that if Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari (leaders of Pakistan’s three main political parties) come together to negotiate, the country’s 70-year crises could be resolved in just 70 days. .
Speaking at a ceremony held in Lahore on the death anniversary of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s father, Rana Sanaullah called for the creation of a reconciliation committee comprising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chiefs. , the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), while urging that discussions be carried out with sincerity and willingness to recognize the past mistakes.
He highlighted the importance of key political documents such as the 1973 Constitution and the Charter of Democracy, underlining how Nawaz Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto boosted dialogue by admitting their previous mistakes.
Sanaullah further stressed that meaningful dialogue remains the only way to move forward and resolve urgent national issues.
He stressed the importance of politicians acknowledging past mistakes before engaging in meaningful dialogue. “If you want today’s truth to be recognized, you must also admit yesterday’s truths – at least express regret,” he said.
Addressing the ceremony, Khawaja Saad Rafique echoed the sentiment and urged positive and unconditional negotiations.
“The nation has placed its hopes in dialogue; Confidence-building measures must be given priority,” he said, while highlighting his grievances against former military leader General (retd) Qamar Bajwa and former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar over their imprisonment.
Rafique highlighted the need for successful negotiations with the PTI, emphasizing that no one’s political career should be buried. “It is unacceptable that a former army chief continues to play golf while evading accountability,” he said.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also spoke at the event and noted that the PML-N has consistently called for dialogue.
“Even during the PDM government we defended the negotiations. “Opposition parties must address both public problems and their own,” he said.
Asif recalled that Nawaz Sharif once personally approached PTI founder Imran Khan, demonstrating the PML-N’s commitment to resolving political tensions through dialogue.
This call for negotiations comes amid increased political instability in the country, with key political figures and parties seeking common ground to address Pakistan’s challenges.
The PML-N’s comments come against the backdrop of rising tensions between the PTI and the ruling coalition, following the jailing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year when PTI protests and a government crackdown deepened the political divide, leading to led to sporadic violence.
In November, following the PTI’s “Final Call” protests, tensions increased further when the PTI accused the government of using excessive force, resulting in casualties, a claim denied by authorities. Subsequently, both sides began to consider negotiations.
In December, the PTI formed a five-member committee for the talks, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to set up a government delegation led by President Ayaz Sadiq.
The first formal meeting between the government and the PTI took place on December 23, and the government committee included Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah and Senator Irfan Siddiqui. Members of the PPP, MQM and other allied parties also joined the initiative.
