Rana Sanaullah Sees End to 70-Year Crisis if PTI, PML-N, PPP Leaders Unite

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advisor and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah emphasized the importance of dialogue among Pakistan’s political leaders to address the country’s ongoing crisis. Speaking at a seminar in Lahore on Saturday, marking the anniversary of Khawaja Rafique, Rana Sanaullah suggested that a meeting between political heavyweights such as Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and PPP leader Asif Zardari could be pivotal in resolving the current political impasse.

Rana Sanaullah stressed that for meaningful dialogue to take place, political leaders must first acknowledge their past mistakes and shortcomings. He highlighted the Charter of Democracy, signed after the 1973 Constitution, as a crucial document in Pakistan’s political history, calling it a “sacred” commitment to collaboration and progress. Both PML-N and PPP, he noted, have previously admitted their mistakes in a spirit of cooperation.

The senior PML-N leader also commented on the ongoing debate about the alleged false cases against PTI, drawing a parallel with similar charges faced by his own party in the past. “If you are asking us to accept your truth today, you must also acknowledge our truth from yesterday,” he remarked, urging political figures to at least express regret for past actions.

Rana Sanaullah further discussed the political crisis, emphasizing that its resolution lies in collective efforts and dialogue. He pointed out that members of the negotiation committee are mere “actors,” with Khawaja Saad Rafique playing the role of the “producer” in this process. The PML-N leader reiterated the importance of conducting political activities within the constitutional and legal frameworks, condemning acts of violence, including attacks on political opponents and the destruction of property.

Khawaja Saad Rafique Criticizes “Remote-Controlled Democracy”

Meanwhile, Khawaja Saad Rafique, another senior PML-N leader, criticized Pakistan’s current political environment, describing the country as trapped in a “remote-controlled democracy.” He expressed concerns about the increasing influence of non-political groups on national matters, pointing to recent protests and public unrest, including the Kohala bridge blockades and the removal of national symbols. “The state cannot continue to function in such a way,” he warned, emphasizing that both politicians and the public will face the consequences of ongoing instability.

Rafique also addressed the Kashmir issue, underscoring the deep connection between Pakistan and Kashmiris, who he said are “bigger Kashmiris than Pakistanis” in their loyalty to the country. He criticized the appointment of officials with little understanding of Kashmiri politics, suggesting that this has exacerbated tensions.

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Reiterating his call for political unity, Rafique proposed forming a national committee, involving key political figures like Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Aftab Khan Sherpao, Pir Pagara, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, and others, to address the crisis. “We cannot afford to insult state institutions any further,” he stated, urging politicians to work together to steer the country away from further losses and to establish clarity on who is truthful in the ongoing political battle.

Both Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique’s statements reflect the PML-N’s commitment to dialogue and constitutional governance, advocating for unity and collaboration among political leaders to address Pakistan’s challenges.