Khawaja Saad Rafique says Pakistan’s political parties are dominated by families and calls for a democratic system based on smaller administrative units.
LAHORE: Former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique criticised Pakistan’s political system and major political parties, saying the country’s political institutions have failed to meet public expectations.
Addressing the National Dialogue Policy event in Lahore, Rafique said, “Gora angrez chala gaya aur kala angrez chhor gaya,” referring to what he described as the continuation of a system of political domination after the departure of British rule.
Rafique said he was a democratic-minded politician and supported smaller administrative units. However, he opposed any proposal to divide Punjab alone, saying all provinces should be treated equally in any discussion about the creation of new administrative units.
“Division has to take place in all provinces. Only Punjab being divided is not acceptable,” he said.
Rafique also criticised the political culture surrounding party leadership, saying supporters in political parties sometimes elevate their leaders to the level of “idol worship.”
He said every political party had effectively become the property of a political family, leaving little hope for meaningful change through the existing party structure.
“There is no hope from Pakistan’s political parties; every party has a political family imposed over it,” Rafique said.
Commenting on Pakistan’s political history, Rafique said every person who became prime minister eventually had to face imprisonment.
He also raised concerns about the electoral process, saying the person who receives the votes does not always end up being the person who is elected.
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