Shehbaz Sharif offers PTI talks if party ends march and sit-ins

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday offered conditional talks to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying dialogue can take place only after the party ends its march and sit-ins. Addressing a ceremony in the federal capital, he warned that the protests could damage exports, imports and manufacturing.

Will the government hold PTI talks?

The government is willing to hold talks with PTI, but only on one condition. Shehbaz Sharif said the party must first end its ongoing march and sit-ins. He said all efforts to make negotiations successful had failed to produce results.

Why is the prime minister worried about the protests?

Shehbaz Sharif said the economy had been stabilized through two and a half years of tireless efforts and teamwork. He described the hard-earned macroeconomic stability as essential for the national interest and Pakistan's progress.

He expressed concern that, while the country was moving towards development, the ongoing protests could seriously affect exports, imports and the manufacturing sector. "The politics of sit-ins and protests will directly target the national economy," he warned.

What did Shehbaz Sharif say to the opposition?

The prime minister questioned whether halting the wheel of development once again would not amount to working against the national interest. He urged the opposition to exercise restraint and avoid putting Pakistan's international reputation and economic progress at risk.

He reiterated that the government remained willing to engage in dialogue, but stressed that the ongoing march and sit-in must end first.