Leaders of the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) on Monday called for the formation of a national government and wide-ranging constitutional reforms, arguing that political stability, electoral transparency and grassroots devolution were essential to steer the country out of its current crises.

Addressing a joint press conference at the National Press Club, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, Muhammad Ali Durrani and Waseem Shahzad termed the incumbent setup a ‘defacto government’ rather than a ‘dejure’ one, and stressed that future elections must be conducted on the basis of Form-45.

The leaders also called for a 28th Constitutional Amendment to ensure the effective implementation of the 18th Amendment and transfer powers to the grassroots level.

The NDC leaders also congratulated the newly elected body of the Islamabad Press Club and held a detailed discussion on the country’s prevailing political, economic and democratic situation.

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said the primary objective of the NDC was to bring stability, tolerance and improvement to Pakistan’s politics.

He said the country’s political environment had become deeply polarised and that political forces needed to resolve their disputes themselves.

Fawad Chaudhry said that during his last meeting with the PTI founder, he had stressed that politicians should not pursue personal enmities and instead prioritise national interest.

Expressing concern over the economic situation, he said the country was facing multiple crises simultaneously.