SWABI: Former prime minister and president of the Awaam Pakistan party Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said that the country lacked the rule of law.

He was talking to reporters at the residence of former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan where he went to offer condolences over the murder of the former lawmaker’s elder brother.

Accompanied by former chief minister Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan, Mr Abbasi said the terrorist attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan was a tragedy and there was a need for ascertaining why the incident occurred.

He said if people’s opinion was not respected, then they would take up arms in frustration.

The former PM said the people faced numerous socioeconomic issues and had lost hope for the future. He insisted that there was no rule of law in the country, with the government looking to be helpless.

Mr Abbasi said the situation in the country has deteriorated as the rulers considered the Constitution just a piece of paper.

He said there was the law of the jungle in the country, with people struggling to get justice.

The former PM called for serious efforts to eliminate the scourge of drugs.

He said the government should ensure the early arrest of the killers of Mushtaq Ahmad’s brother for punishment.

Also in the day, PTI Senator Liaqat Khan Tarakai visited the residence of Mushtaq Ahmad and offered condolences for the lawmaker’s brother.

DIALOGUE PROPOSED: PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiseron Thursday condemned the deadly train hijack in Balochistan and called for a wide-ranging dialogue for the eradication of terrorism from the country.

In a video statement, Mr Qaiser said representatives of all provinces and groups should sit down to discuss ways to protect public life and property amid growing incidents of terrorism.

He said the National Assembly should hold a detailed discussion on the current law and order situation in the country for a week, allowing its members to float proposals for strengthening the security mechanism and forging national unity.

“If we fail today, we cannot succeed tomorrow,” he said

Mr Qaiser said all sections of the society and political and religious leadership should be on one page for the sake of national interest.

He said Pakistan’s borders with Iran and Afghanistan were fast becoming vulnerable, commercial activities were badly affected, the government had lost writ in the country, and people lacked confidence in politicians.

The PTI leader said that the economy had weakened to the core to the misery of people.

“Strengthening the economy should be the top priority of the government. Without a strong economy, our survival will remain at stake,” he said.

Mr Qaiser said the federal government’s policies had failed to deliver the goods, so they should be reviewed.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2025