ISLAMABAD: Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to engage in dialogue with the opposition without any preconditions.
Speaking at the National Constitutional Convention held at the National Assembly Hall in Islamabad on Monday, Zardari stressed the importance of unity in driving the country out of its current political and economic crisis.
He called on the opposition to approach the prime minister for dialogue as he is the head of the government.
The Convention was held in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 1973 Constitution, and National Assembly Speaker Raja Parvez Ashraf welcomed participants including Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The month-long festivities have been organised to celebrate the Constitution’s 50th anniversary and raise awareness about its significance at all levels of society.
The Convention passed a resolution, introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, pledging to protect and defend the Constitution of Pakistan in letter and spirit.
The resolution calls on all state organs to ensure the full implementation of the 1973 Constitution and to safeguard the rights and interests of the people of Pakistan.
Govt and opposition allegations against each other
Zardari’s remarks come amid a tense political climate in the country, with the opposition accusing the government of suppressing dissent and cracking down on political opponents.
Opposition leaders have demanded electoral reforms and an independent election commission ahead of the next general elections, scheduled for 2023.
The government has denied allegations of electoral malpractice and has rejected the opposition’s demands for dialogue without preconditions.
Pakistan has been facing a severe economic crisis, with high inflation and unemployment rates, a growing fiscal deficit, and a looming balance of payments crisis.
The government has launched a series of austerity measures to reduce the deficit and has sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and other international lenders.
The opposition has criticized the government’s economic policies, blaming them for the deteriorating economic situation in the country.
The call for unconditional dialogue between the government and opposition reflects a growing recognition of the need for political consensus and cooperation in addressing the country’s challenges. It remains to be seen whether the two sides can overcome their differences and work together in the national interest.
