No One Ready to Give Guarantee for Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif Must Step In: Khawaja Saad Rafique
Islamabad: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that no one is willing to give a guarantee for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, adding that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif must play a decisive role at this critical juncture.
Addressing a ceremony marking the death anniversary of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Saad Rafique said that Nawaz Sharif, being the most senior political leader, should come forward and engage in dialogue to reduce pressure on political opponents.
He thanked all political figures and workers who attended the event, calling it one of Lahore’s oldest political gatherings. He said Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed’s life remains a guiding light and stressed that the use of force cannot move the state forward. He criticized historical power alliances, saying that those who undermined the Constitution were praised, while those who made Pakistan were branded traitors.
Saad Rafique questioned whether all of Pakistan’s prime ministers were traitors and whether all judges and chiefs were truly patriotic, asserting that democracy is ingrained in the nation’s character and that the people have not lost hope in it.
Recalling his own political struggles, he said he had vowed not to seek revenge after his release from jail and highlighted the damage done to the sanctity of the vote. He added that while PTI took action against his entire party, he never felt happiness over anyone being punished, emphasizing that political sacrifices were made to safeguard the state.
He praised the Punjab government for undertaking historic initiatives but acknowledged that not all efforts were yielding visible results. He urged unity in the name of Pakistan, warning against the waste of national time in endless political conflicts.
Referring to Imran Khan, Saad Rafique said the PTI founder made serious political mistakes and rejected opportunities for compromise. He claimed that had Imran Khan accepted the role of opposition leader, the events of May 9 and his imprisonment might have been avoided.
Reiterating his stance, Saad Rafique said no one is ready to give a guarantee for Imran Khan, and only Nawaz Sharif can now play a constructive role by initiating dialogue. He concluded by calling for a new political agreement and a fresh Charter of Democracy, expressing hope that meaningful political engagement would also be supported by the establishment.
