Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has criticized the establishment, saying corrupt individuals are more acceptable to the establishment than those with integrity and exemplary character.
The ex-premier expressed these views at a session of the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) on Power Failure: Pakistan’s Search for Stability.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi highlighted the significiance of ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, adding that the Constitution exists in the country but it is high time to establish its supremacy.
The former premier emphasised that everyone, including the establishment, must cooperate to resolve political difficulties quickly because delays would not be in the country's best interests.
According to Abbasi, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were Pakistan's only four political leaders in its history.
While talking about the country’s ongoing political impasse and economic crisis, he said that the current political system was ill-prepared to handle these issues and that the bureaucracy was likewise unable to address the issues faced by their relevant ministries. He claimed that federal employees are more likely to work in the provinces due to benefits and advantages.
“Who should serve in parliament is up to the people's choice. But in reality, the situation is entirely opposite; as 50 percent of senators enter the Senate by paying for their seats” he regretted.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that it is well known that the judiciary and the establishment have an impact on politics in the country, but "it is time for everyone to work together to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and the law."
The PML-N leader, however, believed that the system could change through three consecutive transparent and fair elections.
Abbasi admitted there was 35 percent inflation in the country and warned that inflation rate would go up further because of certain conditions the government had to accept on the dictation of world donors. He said a government had to face negative results of its harsh policy decisions and that was why political parties, when in power, avert taking such decisions.
The ex-premier expressed these views at a session of the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) on Power Failure: Pakistan’s Search for Stability.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi highlighted the significiance of ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution, adding that the Constitution exists in the country but it is high time to establish its supremacy.
The former premier emphasised that everyone, including the establishment, must cooperate to resolve political difficulties quickly because delays would not be in the country's best interests.
According to Abbasi, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were Pakistan's only four political leaders in its history.
While talking about the country’s ongoing political impasse and economic crisis, he said that the current political system was ill-prepared to handle these issues and that the bureaucracy was likewise unable to address the issues faced by their relevant ministries. He claimed that federal employees are more likely to work in the provinces due to benefits and advantages.
“Who should serve in parliament is up to the people's choice. But in reality, the situation is entirely opposite; as 50 percent of senators enter the Senate by paying for their seats” he regretted.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that it is well known that the judiciary and the establishment have an impact on politics in the country, but "it is time for everyone to work together to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and the law."
The PML-N leader, however, believed that the system could change through three consecutive transparent and fair elections.
Abbasi admitted there was 35 percent inflation in the country and warned that inflation rate would go up further because of certain conditions the government had to accept on the dictation of world donors. He said a government had to face negative results of its harsh policy decisions and that was why political parties, when in power, avert taking such decisions.