PML-N leader says no one ready to become guarantor for Imran Khan, urges fresh ‘charter of democracy’
PML-N Leader Khawaja Saad Rafique. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has urged his party’s chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to play a decisive role to ease political tensions in the country, saying no one is currently willing to give any guarantee for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan.
Addressing a gathering held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on the occasion of the death anniversary of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed, Saad Rafique said Nawaz Sharif, being the senior-most political leader, should step forward and initiate dialogue to reduce pressure on political opponents.
He noted that Pakistan urgently needed a new political agreement and a fresh ‘charter of democracy’. “If politicians engage in dialogue, there is hope the establishment will also support the process. The matter must be taken seriously at every level,” he added.
He thanked all political leaders and workers who attended the event, noting that the ceremony has evolved into one of Lahore’s oldest political gatherings, where participants listened to differing views with patience and maturity.
Recalling the life of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed, Saad Rafique said his struggle remained a guiding light, stressing that the use of force could never move the state forward. He lamented that soon after Pakistan’s creation, an alliance between military generals and feudal elites emerged, while those who struggled for the country were branded as traitors and those who violated the Constitution were saluted.
Questioning the country’s political narrative, he asked whether all of Pakistan’s prime ministers were traitors and whether all judges and chiefs were truly patriotic. “Democracy is ingrained in our national character. This nation has not lost hope in democracy, and I remain a Muslim Leaguer from beginning to end,” he said.
Saad Rafique said he had vowed on the day of his release from jail that he would not seek revenge, despite alleged political victimisation, including the division of his constituency. He claimed that certain actions were facilitated by former ISI chief General (retd) Faiz Hameed, adding that he himself was reluctant to return to parliament after witnessing the prevailing circumstances. He stressed that the sanctity of the vote must be protected.
Criticising the PTI, he said the party had taken action against the entire PML-N leadership but added that he never felt happiness when anyone was sentenced. “We put our politics at stake to save the state,” he remarked.
Praising the Punjab government, Saad Rafique said it was carrying out historic work, although the rewards of these efforts were not fully visible yet. He expressed concern that Punjab had been turned into a target of abuse and urged political forces to learn lessons from the past. “We must unite in the name of Pakistan. How much nation’s time will be wasted in endless political battles?” he questioned.
The PML-N leader said it was the responsibility of politicians to prove their credibility, adding that his party had tolerated the Pakistan Peoples Party in the interest of the country. He stressed the need for dialogue and said the PTI founder had made several mistakes. “We reached out twice, but he refused to listen. Had he chosen to sit in opposition, neither May 9 would have happened nor would he be in jail today,” he claimed.
Reiterating his earlier remarks, Saad Rafique said no one was ready to give any guarantee for the PTI founder, making it imperative for Nawaz Sharif to intervene and initiate talks to reduce political pressure.
