Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has emphasized the need for political stability and national unity to resolve Pakistan's ongoing crises. Speaking to a private TV channel, Abbasi warned that the country’s problems, including its economic challenges, cannot be solved until political chaos subsides. He stressed that the national interest should take precedence over personal ambitions and political positions. Abbasi, commenting on the current political climate, stated that the leadership of Pakistan's political, military, and judiciary institutions is crucial in navigating the country out of its ongoing crisis. “Only these leaders can bring the country out of the current situation,” he said, expressing hope that Allah would guide them towards success. He also acknowledged that the dispute between the state and former Prime Minister Imran Khan must be resolved, but made it clear that the public should not be blamed for the political turmoil.

The former Prime Minister also addressed the country’s economic issues, noting that the recent decline in global oil prices could help ease inflation. However, he dismissed the idea that falling oil prices were a panacea for Pakistan’s deeper economic troubles. “This is not the solution to the problems. As long as there is political chaos, the economic situation will not improve,” he explained. Abbasi further criticized the government's handling of the situation, pointing out that incidents of violence, such as the ones recently witnessed in Korea, were absent from countries with stable political environments. He lamented that in Pakistan, political leaders are not willing to sit together, but instead, the country suffers due to their inability to put national interests first.

Reflecting on the past, Abbasi reminded viewers of the 2014 sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He noted that despite the prolonged protests lasting 126 days, there were no violent clashes or bullets fired, which he said highlighted the possibility of peaceful political discourse. Abbasi also addressed the issue of Imran Khan’s legal troubles, asserting that Khan should not be released but that his crimes should be made clear to the public. “The case should be prosecuted by filing charges,” Abbasi stated, emphasizing that delays in the legal process would undermine the credibility of any eventual decision. “The case is being tried after a year and a half, whatever decision is reached will be wrong because after such a long delay, there is no status of martyrdom.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)