Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar has urged politicians to come together and engage with the establishment to resolve the ongoing political tensions and polarization in the country.
Speaking in an interview with a British news outlet, Umar, a former close aide of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, stressed the need for a “new charter of democracy” to navigate Pakistan’s current political turmoil.
His remarks come at a time when negotiations between PTI and the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have stalled.
Despite three rounds of dialogue and PTI presenting its demands in writing, no progress was made after the party refused to attend the fourth round, citing the government’s failure to form a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and the November 2024 protests in Islamabad.
With PTI warning of fresh agitation and announcing a power show in Swabi on February 8, party founder Imran Khan — imprisoned for over a year now — has written multiple letters to the country’s military leadership, particularly Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, calling for a change in policies.
These letters addressed various issues, including alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections, terrorism charges, police raids, excessive force against PTI workers, and economic concerns.
However, the army chief denied receiving any such letters and remarked that even if he did, he would forward them to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instead of reading them.
The government has criticized PTI over these letters, terming them an attempt to create a divide between the military and the public. PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui challenged PTI to resign from assemblies and launch a protest movement if they truly believe the 2024 elections were rigged.
With the political temperature expected to rise if PTI resumes street protests, Asad Umar, who resigned from politics and PTI’s basic membership in November 2023 following the May 9 riots, highlighted that political consensus is crucial for democracy, which is essential for the country’s progress.
He emphasized that no single party holds the solution to Pakistan’s challenges — rather, a national consensus is required.
The former PTI leader also lamented that parliament has never been disrespected as much as it is today.
He concluded by saying that a strong parliament is the foundation of a strong democracy, and politicians must recognize this reality.
