Liaquat Ali
Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Natasha Daultana has called for a national shift toward long-term political and economic planning, arguing that Pakistan’s recurring policy disruptions can only be resolved through cross-party consensus and institutional continuity rather than short-term electoral thinking.
Speaking in an interview, Daultana said Pakistan urgently needs a unified approach to governance that extends beyond individual governments and political cycles, warning that frequent changes in direction were weakening economic stability and discouraging investment.
She proposed the formulation of national development frameworks spanning 10, 20 and even 50 years, supported by all major political parties to ensure continuity in key policy areas, particularly economic management and debt reduction.
“We need a joint committee of all political parties to endorse a long-term economic plan,” she said, adding that reducing Pakistan’s debt burden must be treated as a central national priority.
Daultana stressed that sustainable growth depends on political stability, arguing that investor confidence is closely linked to consistent policy direction and predictable governance.
She said repeated shifts in economic strategy with each change of government were undermining progress, and called for a structured mechanism to maintain policy continuity across administrations.
At the political level, she emphasised PPP’s commitment to democratic engagement and cooperation with other parties, noting that governance in Pakistan’s parliamentary system requires dialogue and coalition-building rather than confrontation.
“We look at the bigger picture. Pakistan comes first,” she said, adding that political differences should not block cooperation on issues of national importance.
Daultana also said political disputes should be resolved through negotiation, suggesting that internal stability strengthens both governance and public service delivery.
On party strategy, she said the PPP was working to expand its organisational presence across provinces, particularly in Punjab, while maintaining its strong bases in Sindh and Balochistan and seeking greater outreach in other regions.
She added that governance improves when political stakeholders work in alignment, ensuring smoother implementation of policies and more effective national decision-making.
The PPP leader reiterated that leadership in Pakistan is ultimately determined through public mandate and parliamentary processes, and stressed the importance of respecting democratic outcomes while focusing on governance challenges.