LAHORE: Former president and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Dr. Arif Alvi, announced on Tuesday that his party intends to hold discussions with those who hold the real power to make decisions.
This remark was made in response to a query about the perception that imprisoned PTI founder, Imran Khan, was against engaging in dialogue with political opponents to stabilize the country. Alvi’s statement followed several appeals from the current government, urging the PTI to engage in talks to resolve the political crisis. However, the former ruling party has yet to provide a definitive response to these calls.
During a press conference in Lahore, Alvi expressed his frustration, stating, “I have lost all hope as accountability is impossible in Pakistan.” He elaborated on this by praising the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict in the diplomatic cable case, asserting that “the case was lodged without any valid reason.” As a former head of state, Dr. Alvi emphasized that it is the prime minister’s prerogative to decide whether to inform the nation about a cipher.
Alvi criticized the “entire elite class” for opposing accountability or investigations into sensitive matters. “From [former military ruler] Ayub Khan till today, accountability has not been our priority. Our people are convinced they will see no justice here in Pakistan,” he asserted.
Referring to the ousting of the PTI-led government in April 2022, Alvi said, “Pakistan has suffered a major loss due to regime change.” He further noted that the political upheaval had negatively affected the national economy, creating widespread uncertainty. This uncertainty has led the local business class to invest abroad, significantly impacting economic stability within the country.
Dr. Alvi’s comments underscore the deep political and economic challenges facing Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for genuine accountability and stable governance to restore public trust and national prosperity.
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