Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government is ready to hold fresh talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but only if the party calls off its ongoing PTI long march towards Islamabad.
Speaking at an event in the capital on Tuesday, the prime minister cautioned that street agitation and sit-ins would hurt the country’s economy before anything else.
PM Says the Ruling Coalition Has Agreed to Talk
“Unfortunately, the shadows of dharnas and long marches have once again emerged,” Shehbaz said. He explained that the ruling coalition had jointly decided to open a dialogue with the PTI in an effort to steer the party away from sit-in politics.
His message to the opposition party was direct. “I urge you to come to your senses, end the long march and sit-in, and then we will sit with you,” he said.
March Reaches Kohat Under Sohail Afridi
The prime minister’s comments came as the march, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, arrived in Kohat, a district in the province.
The PTI set out on October 4, after negotiations between the government and the opposition failed to head off the protest. Earlier, the party had pushed the original start date back from September 27.
Why the PTI Government Negotiations Collapsed
The party, founded by Imran Khan and in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, held three rounds of talks with a delegation made up of government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) representatives. The discussions ended on Sunday morning, with each side holding the other responsible for the breakdown.
Government officials have repeatedly said the march will not be permitted to enter Islamabad.
Economic Risks of Protests, According to the PM
Shehbaz also raised concerns about what prolonged protests could mean for the economy. He said exports, imports and manufacturing could all be disrupted at a time when the country’s development was moving forward.
“If workers and engineers do not reach factories and offices on time, the loss will be Pakistan’s,” he said.
The prime minister added that his government had worked to stabilise the economy over the past two and a half years through hard work and teamwork. In his view, those efforts reflected the aspirations of the nation and the voice of every Pakistani.