Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leaders, former federal ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar, on Friday urged both the government and the opposition to open dialogue in pursuit of political and economic stability, calling for a renewed “Charter of Democracy” to steer the country out of escalating uncertainty.The two PTI leaders were presented before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore after their legal teams filed an application for their attendance in cases linked to the May 9 unrest.

The presiding judge extended their interim bail until February 13. Inside the courtroom, Qureshi and Umar held a brief discussion on the country’s fast-changing political landscape.Speaking informally to journalists before hearing, former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi emphasised that political engagement between the government and opposition was essential for national stability. PTI's detained leader said Pakistan had responded robustly during the recent flare-up with India but warned that New Delhi “was not likely to back off” and could “act again”.

Qureshi said global conditions were deteriorating due to the growing confrontation between the United States and Iran, placing Pakistan in a “particularly vulnerable position”. He also disclosed that his brother-in-law, whom he described as being “like a real brother,” had recently passed away. He said that despite requesting parole to attend the funeral prayers, he was not granted permission.

Talking to the media, Asad Umar said PTI supporters were not “a guerrilla nation” but “civil and decent people” committed to democratic politics. He maintained that the government would eventually need to sit with the opposition to craft a fresh democratic accord.Umar argued that while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had exhibited political maturity, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had “lost its political grounding,” insisting the party “did not come to power through genuine public support.” 

Umar said Pakistan’s only way forward was democracy, adding that the public was “fully aware of who is right and who is not.” He stressed that the opposition must assure citizens that any negotiations with the government would not amount to “a deal or compromise”. Commenting on regional developments, he said the situation in Iran remained volatile, but Pakistan had played “a very positive role” amid escalating tensions.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)