ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has called for a constructive dialogue between political entities, highlighting the need for the country to move forward and focus on the future rather than getting stuck in the past.
Speaking during Dawn News show “ Doosra Rukh”, Ashraf emphasized the importance of looking at the outcome of past events and evaluating whether Pakistan has been able to stand on its own feet after 75-76 years of independence. He suggested that it is time for the nation to take a step towards progress and engage in intra-political party dialogue.
Ashraf expressed his concern about the practice of repeatedly bringing up past issues and remaining silent when they occur. He criticized this approach as a sign of cowardice and called for a living nation to address wrong actions when they are being committed. He lamented the confusion and spread of hate that arises from constantly reopening past issues, and urged for an intra-party dialogue to devise a new social contract that includes input from all stakeholders.
Regarding accountability, Ashraf advised that any issues with the military should be resolved privately, behind closed doors, rather than in public or on social media. He argued that public discussions only benefit the country’s enemies. Ashraf also commented on President Dr Arif Alvi’s performance, stating that the position of the presidency is Pakistan’s highest constitutional office and should not be perceived as representing any specific political party.
In relation to the Faizabad sit-in case, the PML-N, which had previously distanced itself from calls for accountability, seems to be indirectly pushing for it once again. PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif, known to be close to Maryam Nawaz, declared former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Gen Faiz Hamid as the ‘mastermind’ behind the sit-in. Latif demanded that all those who “ruined the country” be exposed before the upcoming elections. Another senior PML-N leader, Khawaja Asif, also accused Gen Hamid of being the mastermind behind the sit-in in a recent TV show.
The case has gained renewed attention as the Supreme Court hears challenges to the Feb 6, 2019 judgment related to the sit-in. Journalist Absar Alam had previously informed the apex court that certain armed forces personnel were attempting to incite violence during the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan sit-in. He also alleged that Gen Faiz Hamid had called him to support a media outlet when he ordered the shutdown of Channel 92 for allegedly inciting violence through its live coverage of the sit-in.
