ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again renewed his offer to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and urged the opposition party to first end its ongoing long march towards Islamabad.
“Political protests, sit-ins and long marches could have serious consequences for the country’s economy, particularly at a time when economic activity was being revived,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while addressing an event in Islamabad.
PM Shehbaz said that the ruling coalition had agreed to engage with the PTI in an effort to end the confrontation and resolve differences through dialogue.
“I urge you to end the long march and sit-in, and then we will sit together for talks,” the premier said.
His remarks came as the PTI caravan, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reached Kohat during its march towards the federal capital.
The PTI launched the protest on October 4 after negotiations between the government and opposition failed to produce an agreement. Three rounds of talks were held between representatives of the government, the PPP and the PTI, but the dialogue collapsed on Sunday, with both sides holding each other responsible.
The opposition party had earlier postponed its planned protest from September 27 to October 4. Government officials have repeatedly warned that the march would not be permitted to enter Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz cautioned that prolonged political unrest could disrupt economic activities, affecting factories, offices, imports and exports.
He said disruptions to workers’ and engineers’ access to workplaces would ultimately harm the national economy.
The prime minister maintained that the government had worked for around two and a half years to stabilise the economy through collective efforts and policy measures.
He said economic recovery and development required a peaceful environment and cooperation among political stakeholders, urging all sides to prioritise national interests over confrontation.
