LAHORE – Several jailed leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have urged the government to pursue a “Charter of Pakistan” instead of a “Charter of Economy”, arguing that constitutional supremacy and political stability are prerequisites for sustainable economic progress.
In a letter conveyed through their counsel, Rana Mudassir, PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Omar Sarfraz Cheema responded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent proposal for a Charter of Economy. They maintained that while Pakistan requires a comprehensive framework to overcome its challenges, restoring constitutional order and political stability should come first.
The letter follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the National Assembly on June 13, in which he renewed his call for both a Charter of Economy and a Charter of Democracy. The premier urged political parties to set aside their differences and work together in the national interest, stating that Pakistan remained a shared cause despite ideological and political divisions.
The prime minister also said his government had no conflict with PTI and described opposition members as political counterparts who should unite for the country’s welfare.
However, the PTI leaders questioned the effectiveness of an economic charter in the absence of what they described as genuine constitutional supremacy and political stability. They argued that economic recovery and investor confidence could not be achieved without a stable political environment and adherence to the rule of law.
According to the letter, investment and long-term economic growth flourish only in countries where constitutional governance is upheld, institutions operate within their legal limits and political certainty exists.
The PTI leaders contended that any economic roadmap would have limited value unless the underlying causes of the country’s political and constitutional challenges were addressed. They likened the situation to solving a problem at its source rather than treating its symptoms.
The proposed “Charter of Pakistan”, they said, should bring political parties, state institutions and other centres of influence into consensus on the complete supremacy of the Constitution. The charter should also ensure respect for the public mandate, end political engineering, establish institutional boundaries in line with the Constitution and introduce impartial accountability mechanisms.
The leaders further called for safeguards to protect constitutional governance, implementation of the National Action Plan and key economic policies from political disruption.
Emphasising the relationship between politics and economics, they argued that nations which achieved lasting economic success first established stable political systems and clear constitutional rules. They maintained that political stability serves as the foundation for economic stability.
The PTI leaders concluded by urging the prime minister to initiate a broad national dialogue on a Charter of Pakistan if the government is genuinely committed to resolving the country’s ongoing challenges.
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