Former Prime Minister and political maverick Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday remarked that he did not witness any violation of the Constitution by former Army Chief (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa and former Director General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. General (R) Faiz Hameed.
However, he emphasized that if there is any wrongdoing, it should be properly dealt with and exposed.
Abbasi’s statements came during an interview he addressed various pressing issues concerning the nation ranging from governance to international relations.
Regarding the composition of the federal cabinet, Abbasi criticized criticism regarding the appointment of Muhammad Aurangzeb as finance minister, emphasizing the importance of competence over mere party affiliation.
Abbasi advocated accountability and called for a truth commission to reveal the facts transparently. He emphasized the need for accountability measures that strictly adhere to the rule of law, citing a past case of corruption where accountability procedures appeared to falter.
Mr Khaqan expressed his views on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and proposed its closure, advocating for a system where financial transparency would be maintained through careful tax record keeping.
Abbasi also underlined the importance of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and urged that through its chairmanship, the Prime Minister should ensure effective decision-making in economic matters.
Regarding trade relations with India, Shahid Khaqan proposed to rethink the dialogue process and give the opposition a platform for discussion.
He further emphasized the importance of fostering stronger relations with Afghanistan, acknowledging the need for constructive dialogue between the two neighboring countries.
Highlighting the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers on the western border, the former prime minister called for a diplomatic approach to Afghanistan and stressed the importance of recognizing Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Abbasi mentioned Nawaz Sharif’s potential role in national or provincial politics given his party’s current position of power.
