PML-N's Saad Rafique calls for burying political hatchets

LAHORE: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday called for a new Charter of Democracy and Charter of Economy, stressing the need for political reconciliation and dialogue among parties amid rising terrorism, economic challenges and growing political polarisation.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, the former federal minister said Pakistan’s political forces would eventually have to sit together to reduce instability and tackle national issues, adding that the country’s political temperature needed to be lowered.

Saad urged both the government and opposition to develop consensus on key matters, particularly security and the economy, while emphasizing that all political parties accepting the Constitution should be engaged through dialogue. He also said PTI could not avoid talks with rival parties indefinitely.

He further called for constitutional protection of local governments, arguing that repeated dissolution of local bodies had weakened governance and increased grievances in smaller provinces. While supporting equal treatment for all provinces, he opposed proposals focusing only on Punjab’s division.

The PML-N leader also defended Nawaz Sharif over criticism regarding his silence after disqualification, saying the former premier had already paid a heavy political price.

Later in his speech, Saad praised Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests and credited the armed forces, scientists and political leadership for safeguarding the country’s nuclear programme despite international pressure.