Fawad Chaudhry. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The National Dialogue Committee (NDC), a platform led by former PTI leaders, on Friday proposed forming a national unity government comprising all political parties to pull the country out of the current political impasse.
Speaking at a news conference, NDC members Fawad Chaudhry and Mahmood Molvi, along with former minister Muhammad Ali Durrani and senior PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, urged political parties to reduce hostility and return to the negotiating table.
The call for a consensus government came amid claims and counterclaims regarding a possible PTI-government deal and controversy surrounding Imran Khan’s health.
Fawad said the NDC aimed to normalize the country’s political climate, warning that continued polarization was worsening governance and economic challenges.
He claimed that economic conditions had forced numerous international companies to leave Pakistan and cited financial reports showing citizens facing severe economic strain.
He added that political stability could not be achieved without dialogue among stakeholders and emphasized that confrontation would only deepen national divisions.
“Pakistan needs a break to protect itself from chaos, and the only way forward is to form a national unity government,” said Fawad, who served as information minister during the PTI government. He added that political tensions had not subsided over the past four years.
He said that while the government had made efforts, it failed to diminish Imran Khan’s political stature. At the same time, he added, the PTI and its leadership also failed to bring about the promised revolution, a situation affecting ordinary citizens.
“I am demanding, from the NDC platform, the establishment of a national government in Pakistan, formed on the advice of Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and other political heavyweights,” he said.
He also appealed to the establishment, saying the powers that be should facilitate dialogue among politicians to lower political tensions, secure the release of political prisoners, and build consensus on major reforms.
Commenting on Imran Khan’s health, Fawad said the entire nation was concerned and that he should be granted immediate access to his personal physicians.
He said consulting doctors of his choice was Imran’s legal and humanitarian right, and authorities should allow medical professionals to directly assess his condition.
Durrani said forming a national government could provide a way forward to steer the country out of political deadlock. “It is not a new concept; historically it has worked, whether in the UK, Ireland, or South Africa,” he said.
Barrister Saif highlighted two major challenges facing Pakistan: terrorism, which he said was affecting more than half the population, and international developments, including the Gaza-Palestine situation, which could have long-term implications.
“Reconciliation is essential in the current environment. Security challenges across large parts of the country make national unity more important than ever. Political tensions and hostile rhetoric must be reduced, and all political leaders should engage in constructive dialogue,” he said.
Responding to questions about his contact with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Saif said, “I have been in contact with Mohsin Naqvi in the past, but so far it has not yielded any results. I am still trying for Imran Khan’s release.”
