Political parties should take path of dialogue for better Pakistan, says Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

Former Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, called on all political parties and stakeholders to take a path of dialogue for the betterment of the country.

The senior leader was speaking  on Nadir Gurmani’s show “Dusra Rukh” where he was also questioned about the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

Responding to the question, the former NA speaker said, “I want to say that we have to look at the outcome of whatever has been happening. Even after 75 to 76 years, we have not been able to stand on our own feet. So we have to think about whether we remain stuck in the past or if there is something which we should take a step towards.” 

Ashraf suggested moving forward by saying that there is not a lot of distance between the past and present.

“I still think, and I have said so many times before […] to do consultation and sit everyone down [and] open a dialogue. Intra-political party dialogue should be opened,” he insisted.

On the question of holding the former army chief accountable, the PPP leader said, “Okay, then keep on harping and whining about it. You won’t be able to move forward one inch. This practice is not right where after every two or three years you open an issue of the past. Nations which have progressed are forward-looking people.”