PESHAWAR: Muhammad Faiq Shah, founder and chairman of the Amun Taraqqi Party said persistent political polarization had brought destruction to the country. Talking to various delegations here on Friday, Mr Shah stressed dialogue is crucial for cultivating democratic coexistence in our multicultural country. He said instead of bringing reforms for institutions, the rulers discredited them for only personal politics and interests. In polarized societies, the ATP chairman said political party dialogue is the best path to achieve inclusive solutions to institutional weaknesses, or politics of identity, religion and region. Instead of involving the institutions, it is necessary that all matters should be resolved by reaching an ongoing political dialogue process into logical conclusion, the party chief asserted. Calling poverty, illiteracy, backwardness and hunger as key issues of the country, Shah said a holistic policy should be adopted to address these major obstacles that were hindering progress. Only 57 percent of Pakistan job holders despite almost 85 million people are qualified for jobs, however out of them only 48 million are in the job market – or 57 percent, says Mr Shah while quoting figures of the global economic survey. Shah said poor people have perturbed owing to spiraling price-hike, electricity and gas tariffs and petroleum rates. Despite the arrival of a fresh tranche of IMF, the ATP chief said the economy is still dire strait amid plunging export, trade and trade-deficit. Traders, investors, and the working class, poor labour, daily wages and almost all segments of the society have become highly upset owing to the prevailing circumstances, Faiq remarked. Our Correspondent
