Metro53 - Lahore (Web Desk): Senior Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that no one is ready to give guarantees for PTI founder Imran Khan, and at this time Nawaz Sharif must play a decisive role. He stated that Nawaz Sharif is the senior-most leader and must step forward to initiate dialogue in order to ease pressure on polit
Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed these views while addressing the anniversary ceremony of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal. He thanked all personalities who attended the event and said that political workers listened to the speech with patience. He added that this gathering has now become one of Lahore’s oldest political traditions.
He said that the life of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed is a guiding light for them, adding that the use of force cannot move the state forward. He said that soon after Pakistan’s creation, an alliance of military generals and feudal lords emerged, those who created Pakistan were labeled traitors, while those who violated the Constitution were saluted. He questioned whether all of Pakistan’s prime ministers were traitors and whether all judges and chiefs were truly patriotic. He emphasized that democracy is in the nation’s DNA and that the country has not lost hope in democracy, adding that he is, first and last, a Muslim Leaguer.
Saad Rafique said that the day he was released from jail, he announced that he would not seek revenge. He stated that his constituency was divided into four parts and that certain actions were taken under the influence of General Faiz Hameed. He said he himself did not want to go to the assembly as he had already seen the situation, stressing that the sanctity of the vote must be protected.
He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf took action against their entire party and that he never feels happy when someone is punished. He added that they put their politics at stake to protect the state.
He said that the Punjab government is doing historic work, though the rewards of all efforts are not being fully realized. He lamented that Punjab has been turned into a target of abuse and stressed the need to learn lessons. He said the nation must unite in the name of Pakistan and questioned how much time Pakistanis would waste in political conflicts.
Saad Rafique said that it is the duty of politicians to prove their competence. He said they tolerated the Pakistan Peoples Party for the sake of Pakistan and emphasized the need to engage with people through dialogue. He added that the PTI founder made many mistakes, and despite approaching him twice, he did not agree. He said that had the PTI founder chosen to sit in opposition, the events of May 9 would not have occurred, nor would he be in jail today.
The PML-N leader reiterated that no one is ready to give guarantees for the PTI founder, and therefore Nawaz Sharif must play a role. He said Nawaz Sharif should come forward and talk to reduce pressure on opponents.
Saad Rafique further said that politicians must listen to one another, as Pakistan needs a new political agreement and a new Charter of Democracy. He expressed hope that if politicians engage in dialogue, the establishment will also support the process, adding that this matter must be taken seriously at every level.
