Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has again offered talks to the Opposition, saying the PTI should abandon the path of sit-in protests and the government is willing to sit with it if the party calls off its long march, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with the groundbreaking of Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that unfortunately the recently-held talks with the Opposition could not produce positive results. “Marathon serious efforts were made for talks with the PTI but it could not yield a favourable outcome. PTI should come to its senses and give up politics of sit-ins,” he added.
During the speech, Shehbaz Sharif made it crystal clear that nobody will be allowed to harm the country’s economy through the politics of protests. He categorically said that law would take its course for protection of lives and property of the citizens.
The prime minister mentioned the macroeconomic stability achieved by the country over the last two and a half years and highlighted the increase in exports and remittances. He called on the PTI to call off its long march, saying if it does so, the government will sit with it in order to take the country forward. He emphasized that this is also the will and voice of the nation.
Shehbaz Sharif said the PML-N and the PPP had collectively decided, after mutual consultations, to hold meaningful and result-oriented negotiations with the PTI in good faith, with the aim of persuading it to abandon the politics of long marches and resolve issues through dialogue.
The premier said that despite the government’s seriousness the talks failed to remain productive, regretting that the other side did not appear willing to make the negotiations successful.
