ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to call off its long march and sit-ins and return to dialogue to resolve political differences.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government remained willing to hold talks with the opposition if the PTI ended its ongoing protests.
PM Shehbaz said the government had made serious efforts to engage with the PTI leadership and that a joint committee comprising representatives of the PML-N and PPP had held talks with the opposition for two days in the chamber of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
He said the negotiations had raised hopes of reaching an agreement and ending the politics of confrontation, but the process ultimately failed to produce a breakthrough. According to the prime minister, the PTI sought changes to points that had already been agreed upon during the negotiations.
The prime minister again invited the PTI leadership to sit with the government and resolve outstanding issues through political dialogue.
He warned that continued protests, sit-ins and long marches could disrupt economic activity and negatively affect exports, imports and manufacturing.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had achieved macroeconomic stability through sustained efforts over the past two and a half years and was now working towards economic growth. He highlighted improvements in information technology exports, remittances and production during September.
He cautioned that disruption to businesses and workplaces would ultimately affect the country’s economy. He also expressed concern about risks to the lives and property of citizens during prolonged protests.
The prime minister made it clear that the government would not allow activities that, in its view, threaten public safety or economic stability, saying that the law would take its course to protect lives and property.
The PTI has continued its long march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad despite warnings from the federal government. The march, led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, was launched to demand the release of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
The latest offer comes after recent talks between the government and PTI failed to reach an agreement. The two sides had discussed political and security-related issues, but differences remained over counterterrorism measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and access to Imran Khan.
The government has maintained that dialogue remains possible if the PTI ends its protest campaign, while the opposition has continued its march towards the federal capital.
PM Shehbaz reiterated that political differences should be resolved through negotiations rather than street protests, saying the government was prepared to sit with the PTI once the long march and sit-ins were called off.
