ISLAMABAD: The former Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Ali Asseri, has appealed to all the political leaders including those in the government and those in opposition to resolve differences in the larger national interest.
In his article published on Sunday by the Arab News, the former Saudi envoy argued that current political polarization is ripping the country when it is facing the extremely severe economic crisis in history.
“With the economic crisis and political conflict reinforcing each other and the end result can only be disastrous for the country. Averting this eventuality requires a renewed pledge and spirit of restraint and reconciliation by all political leaders and state institutions,” Asseri wrote.
During his decade-long tenure from 2001 to 2009, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan closely worked in the war against terror.
Ambassador Asseri also played a crucial role in political reconciliation between the Pervez Musharraf regime and the exiled PML-N leadership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The envoy was recently in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, on a private visit.
In his opinion, no nation can economically progress unless its political system is stable. Political stability ensures the continuity of economic policy. Unfortunately, the surge of populism has polarized society and politics. This dangerous trend of polarization must reverse.
Immediate need for political reconciliation
“There is an immediate need for building a bare minimum consensus on the key issues of national agenda pertaining to the economy, foreign policy, and national security. This consensus must be developed after accommodating differences of opinion between the key stakeholders,” Ambassador Asseri.
“Recovering the country from the current economic crisis is a necessary choice. Support from trusted and all-weather friends like Saudi Arabia will follow,” the former envoy added.
The former Saudi ambassador also argued that all the political stakeholders must agree upon and consider some fundamental rules of the Game and abide by these rules. “It is encouraging that the country’s military leadership has finally decided to avoid interference in political affairs. Now political leaders have a huge responsibility to act responsibly, respect each other and work for the larger public interest.”
“The political parties must sit together and develop a code of conduct for resolving political conflicts and regulating political competition through compromise in the true spirit of national reconciliation,” the former ambassador further stated.
Pakistan, Asseri argued, is in dire need of a healing touch. The country can count on Saudi Arabia, which wants to invest in Pakistan’s future. But the real momentum for political stability and economic recovery must come from within.
