They argue that the economy does not flourish when constitutional supremacy is questioned, political uncertainty prevails
A combined photo of PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid, Omar Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Five jailed senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have asked opposition leaders to engage Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in talks on a “Pakistan Charter”, it emerged on Thursday.
On June 14, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar invited the opposition to sign an Economic Charter while defending the federal budget in the National Assembly (NA).
In a letter to opposition leaders Mahmood Achakzai, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan dated June 17, PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, currently imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail, proposed a framework aimed at ensuring constitutional supremacy, political stability and respect for the electoral mandate. and the institutional balance beyond the Economic Charter proposed by the government.
The letter stated that Pakistan was at a “critical crossroads,” noting the government’s offer of an economic charter to address the country’s challenges.
“While economic reform and policy continuity are undoubtedly essential, it is important to ask a more fundamental question: can economic stability be achieved without political stability and constitutional certainty?” the letter asked, adding that “history, experience and common sense suggest otherwise.”
He observed that the economy did not prosper when constitutional supremacy was challenged, political uncertainty prevailed, and public confidence in institutions was weakened.
Senior PTI leaders stressed that investment, growth and prosperity were ultimately products of confidence in the rule of law, respect for democratic mandate and predictable governance.
The signatories maintained that Pakistan’s challenges were fundamentally constitutional and political in nature, and not solely economic. They argued that efforts to solve economic problems without addressing these “fundamental” concerns would not achieve the desired result.
The leaders therefore asked the opposition to encourage the prime minister to expand the national dialogue beyond the Economy Charter and work towards a comprehensive Pakistan Charter.
According to the letter, the proposed charter should seek consensus among political parties, state institutions and other stakeholders on key principles, including: the unconditional supremacy of the Constitution, respect for the electoral mandate and the will of the people, an end to political engineering in all its forms, strict compliance by all institutions with their constitutional functions and limits, accountability in all areas without discrimination and the protection of fundamental national policies, including the implementation of the National Action Plan and long-term economic frameworks, regardless of government changes.
The quintet, citing international examples, argued that political stability precedes economic well-being and not the other way around.
“If the Prime Minister is genuinely committed to putting Pakistan on the path of national recovery, this is an opportunity to demonstrate statesmanship by initiating an inclusive national dialogue on a Pakistan Charter,” the letter emphasizes, adding: “Such an initiative would address the root causes of instability rather than simply its symptoms.”
The letter concludes with a call for a serious, transparent and results-oriented discussion on the proposal between the government and the opposition.
“Pakistan deserves a consensus that transcends governments,” the PTI leaders wrote, adding that the country needed “not another temporary agreement but a lasting national pact.”
