KARACHI: A National Alliance Conference was held under the chairmanship of the NDC (National Dialogue Council).
Representatives from prominent democratic political parties across the country participated in the conference.
The conference was attended by Miftah Ismail, Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, Shabbar Zaidi, Aslam Ghauri JUIF, Waseem Akhter & Faisal Sabazwari of the MQM, a JI representative, Irfanullah Marwat and others
Detailed discussions took place regarding the overall political, economic, internal, and external situation, with a specific focus on the severe inflation crisis facing the public, grave law and order issues, the devastation of the economy, and the extreme incompetence and continuous corruption of the ruling coalition.
The conference unanimously said that the government’s policy regarding petroleum product prices is against the interests of the people of Pakistan. Since the outbreak of the war in Iran, this government has capitalised on every opportunity to benefit refineries and petroleum marketing companies, allowing them to reap exorbitant profits. It demanded that investigative agencies scrutinise these corrupt decisions, which are a direct result of a conflict of interest.
It said today, the people of Pakistan are paying rates for petrol and diesel, as well as electricity and gas that are higher than any other country in South Asia. A 35 percent tax is included in the price of petrol, and an 18 percent tax is included in the price of diesel.
During his four years as Prime Minister, Mian Shehbaz Sharif has added more to the national debt than any other Prime Minister, taxed Pakistanis more than any other Prime Minister, and reduced the real disposable income of Pakistanis. His economic policies have been catastrophic, it said.
It has now become clear that economic growth, public welfare, and empowered local governments are impossible under the present rulers.
It said Pakistan will remain unable to translate the successes of Field Marshal Asim Munir’s foreign and security policies into economic benefits for the public unless major constitutional and structural reforms are undertaken. These reforms include empowered local governments, smaller provinces, reforms in the NFC (National Finance Commission) award, reduction in taxes and government expenditures, and accountability for the unprecedented corruption across all provinces.
It said implementing these reforms requires a national dialogue and reconciliation. To facilitate this dialogue, political tensions must be defused, immediate medical treatment must be provided to ailing political prisoners, and the dialogue process must be initiated.
It said in this regard, establishing a national government is a viable option; such an administration could undertake fundamental reforms and pave the way for impartial, transparent, and neutral elections.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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