–PPP, PML-N leaders tell PTI reps to ask PM to take Opp into confidence over proposed charter
–Ayaz Sadiq says govt should not consider ‘charter of economy’ offer as PML-N’s weakness
–Zardari criticises govt for bringing up matter of NRO time and again
ISLAMABAD: A day after National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan has agreed to finalise a ‘charter of economy’ in consultation with all political parties, opposition leaders, including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, said on Saturday that the premier should take the opposition into confidence first.
According to reports, PPP senior leader Syed Khursheed Shah and Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ayaz Sadiq’s met with the government’s chief whip in the National Assembly Amir Dogar and Ali Muhammad Khan during the budget meeting.
The leaders discussed the ‘charter of economy’ in the meeting where the opposition said the prime minister should contact them directly and take them into confidence regarding the charter of economy.
Shah conveyed a message through Dogar and said that Prime Minister Imran considered our offer as a weakness and now he should contact us directly.
Shah said, “On one side they want to speak about the economy and on the other hand they are accusing us of asking for an NRO. Now Imran Khan needs to contact us for the charter of economy.”
The PPP leader continued, “Whenever we speak to them, it seems like we are asking for an NRO. They need the NRO.”
Shah added, “The opposition not participating in the voting would be negative. Doing so would be giving a free hand to the government.”
Former National Assembly speaker and PML-N leader Sadiq said the government should not consider his party’s offer for charter of economy as its weakness.
He added, the opposition was not vying for the charter of economy if the government had no interest in it.
“They should take input from the business community and other stakeholders for the proposed charter of economy so that the economic strategy could be made more effective,” he added.
A day earlier, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said PM Imran had agreed to the constitution a special committee on charter of economy to cope with economic challenges facing the country.
In a series of tweets posted on his social media account, Qaiser said he had a meeting with the Prime Minister and they discussed different legislative, political and economic issues.
“Prime Minister agreed to constitute a special committee on charter of economy to cope with economic challenges. We will get the opposition onboard for this greater cause of our country. This special committee for economy will consider only current economic conditions and will propose solutions, Qaiser tweeted.
He added, “I hope that government and all opposition parties will contribute in their best for country’s greater cause.”
‘IMRAN SHOULD TAKE OPP INTO CONFIDENCE’:
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that the premier should take the opposition into confidence first.
Zardari also criticised the government for bringing up the matter of NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance] time and again.
“Never in eight years, I have ever asked for the NRO then why should I seek it now,” claimed Zardari.
“The prime minister should express his opinion on the charter of economy and take the opposition into confidence over it. After his suggestions are known, then we will consult our party and other opposition parties,” he said.
The idea of a charter of economy — an arrival at a common ground of sorts between the warring government and opposition benches — had been proposed by both PPP and PML-N.
When asked about the government’s agreement on the new charter, Zardari said, “Nothing makes any difference, if a speaker says something. A speaker does not represent any political party, in fact, is neutral.”
On the statement that PM’s amnesty scheme was good for the good and bad for the bad, he said, “It must be bad for the prime minister himself then.”
During a budget debate in NA, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif had urged the government by keep its ego aside and head towards a charter of the economy.