- Rana Sanaullah calls for unity for the development of Pakistan.
- Prime Minister’s aide urges opposition to refrain from any “attacks”.
- The PTI senator highlights the need for the supremacy of the rule of law.
ISLAMABAD: Referring to the new five-year national economic transformation plan ‘Uraan Pakistan’, Prime Minister’s Assistant on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s ‘uraan’ is certain if the opposition Pakistan Tehreek party -e-Insaf (PTI) agreed on the economy charter.
“Political stability is only possible through negotiation (…) we will have to be on the same wavelength for the development of Pakistan,” declared the leader of the ruling PML-N during a speech on Geo News’ ‘Capital Talk’.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government launched talks with its main rival, the PTI, earlier this month in Parliament, after months of heightened political tensions.
The PTI negotiating committee had set the deadline for January 31 after meeting its party founder at Adiala jail a day earlier, reiterating demands for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots and crackdown night of November 26 and the release of “political prisoners”.
The two sides are expected to hold several sessions to reach a solution, with their next meeting scheduled for January 2.
Speaking on the show today, Sanaullah said political talks would begin on January 2, calling on the opposition to protest peacefully and refrain from any “attacks.” “We must not exceed a limit during demonstrations,” he added.
Furthermore, he asked the opposition to provide justice to Pakistan before seeking justice for anyone.
In response to a question, the Prime Minister’s aide said the country had seen slight improvement and reduction in inflation. “With our efforts, Pakistan can return to its 2017 position,” he added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the five-year national economic transformation plan “Uraan Pakistan”, which aims to achieve sustainable export-led economic growth based on the 5Es: Exports, e-Pakistan, environment, energy, equity and empowerment.
“Hybrid system”
Speaking on the same show, PTI senator’s lawyer Ali Zafar said political stability was possible only when the rights of the people of Pakistan were enshrined in the Constitution. “A hybrid system would not bring stability even in 2025,” he added.
He regretted that terrorism-related incidents have increased in 2024, calling for mutual consultation to resolve the terrorism problem.
Expressing doubts over the government’s claims of economic growth, Zafar said the country’s economy grew by just 0.9 percent in 2024, while the agriculture and technology sectors of the information suffered heavily.
Stressing the need for the supremacy of the rule of law, the senator said the law must be equal for all citizens. “People should have the right to peacefully protest and the government should not stop them,” he added.
In response to a question, he said the opposition and politics were being left out during the negotiations. “It is better not to make statements against each other during negotiations,” he added.