Imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema have urged the adoption of a “Charter of Pakistan” instead of the proposed “Charter of Economy.” They argue that establishing constitutional supremacy and political stability must come before any effective economic reforms.
Through their lawyer Rana Mudassir, the PTI figures responded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent announcement promoting a “Charter of Economy.” While acknowledging Pakistan’s urgent need for a guiding framework to overcome its challenges, they emphasized that the country requires a “Charter of Pakistan” as a foundational step prior to economic measures.
In a significant development, PM Shehbaz addressed the National Assembly on June 13, reiterating his appeal for both a “Charter of Economy” and a “Charter of Democracy.” He called on opposition parties to set aside political differences for the nation’s greater good, highlighting that Pakistan remains the unifying factor despite ideological divides. The premier also stated his government harbors no conflict with PTI, referring to opposition members as “our brothers” and underscoring the importance of national unity over partisan disputes.
Meanwhile, the PTI leaders questioned the effectiveness of a “Charter of Economy” in isolation, pointing out that constitutional supremacy is largely theoretical and that political and economic stability remain elusive goals. They stressed the intrinsic connection between political and economic stability, noting that sustainable investment and growth depend on the rule of law, political steadiness, and respect for the Constitution.
They posed a critical question: “When the constitution carries no more weight than a piece of paper, what practical value can a Charter of Economy have?” To illustrate their argument, the PTI leaders used an analogy, stating, “If the water in a well is contaminated, changing the bucket will not solve the problem; the source of pollution must be addressed first.” They warned that without removing the root causes of the crisis, no meaningful reforms can succeed.
The letter outlined that the proposed “Charter of Pakistan” should unite all political factions, state institutions, and power centers around the absolute supremacy of the Constitution. It should guarantee respect for the people’s electoral mandate, end political manipulation, keep institutions within constitutional limits, enforce accountability, and protect constitutional supremacy, the National Action Plan, and key economic policies from disruption.
Notably, the PTI leaders argued that successful nations first establish stable political frameworks before achieving economic breakthroughs, asserting that political stability is the precursor to economic stability, not vice versa. They concluded by urging PM Shehbaz to move beyond rhetoric and initiate a national dialogue focused on creating a “Charter of Pakistan” if he is truly committed to resolving the country’s crises.
