Former prime minister and chairman of the People's Pakistan Alliance, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, criticised the country’s political and economic system, and emphasised that the failure to respect the public mandate is the root cause of Pakistan’s struggles.
Addressing lawyers at the District Bar Association in Faisalabad, Abbasi lamented that Pakistan has a history of disregarding public mandates, referring to the separation of East Pakistan.
"Where the public mandate is disrespected and chaos prevails, the country cannot progress," he said, calling election fraud Pakistan’s biggest issue.
"In our country, constitutional amendments are made in the dark of night without proper review," Abbasi remarked, claiming that 50% of senators attain their positions through bribery and warned that judges may soon be appointed the same way.
Abbasi expressed concern over Pakistan’s worsening economic disparity, noting, "Politicians are getting richer, while the people are becoming poorer." He pointed to rising poverty and economic mismanagement as critical issues, blaming leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the nation’s welfare.
"The IMF does not come to us; we go to it," he said, referring to Pakistan's reliance on external loans to manage the economy. Abbasi called this a sign of failure, adding, "The federation now borrows money just to pay interest to the provinces."
Drawing on historical examples, Abbasi stressed the importance of adhering to democratic principles and the rule of law. "Countries that did not change their systems after independence have seen no progress. Where democracy replaced autocracy, conditions improved," he remarked.
However, he also expressed scepticism about the current state of governance, saying, "Even today, the constitution holds little significance in Pakistan. Until the country operates according to constitutional responsibilities and oaths, there will be no progress."
Abbasi urged the country’s leadership to set aside their differences and work together for Pakistan’s betterment. "The people of a country in pain expect their leadership to sit at one table, leave behind positions and grievances, and talk for the nation’s future," he concluded.
Reflecting on historical military events, Abbasi praised the bravery of soldiers during the East Pakistan conflict, specifically mentioning Col Saadullah. On economic matters, he noted that the devaluation of the rupee has severely impacted energy prices, stating, "If the dollar was at 60 today, electricity would cost only Rs1.50 per unit."
