Charter of economy

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has called upon “stakeholders” to evolve a broader consensus on key economic issues facing the country to ensure sustainable stability and growth. Talking to the media over the weekend, he said “everyone” should join hands in the national interest and agree on a common “charter of economy”. He did not elaborate who exactly he was addressing but seemed to want a consensus among political parties. He also stopped short of outlining the points or issues that he wants a political consensus on in the charter. The ruling PML-N has long been calling for a political consensus on the economic path forward. Back in 2014, a similar call was issued by the then finance minister Ishaq Dar. Shehbaz Sharif followed up as opposition leader in 2019, offering his party’s support to the PTI government on a common agenda to stop the economic slide. He reiterated his desire for a charter of economy in February this year, days after one of the most controversial polls. But none of these calls have drawn an active response from the other parties. The lukewarm response is understandable even though we have endorsed the need for such a charter in these columns.