PM holds out an olive branch to PTI

Signs of a potential thaw in the country's tense political landscape emerged on Saturday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer for a dialogue to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In a brief but significant exchange during a session of the National Assembly, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan responded with a hopeful one-word reply: "Inshallah".

According to parliamentary sources, the informal conversation took place during the NA session when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif walked over to Barrister Gohar, shook hands with him, and initiated a direct conversation.

"Let's sit down and talk. Dialogue is the only solution to our problems," the prime minister was quoted as saying. "I said it before, and I say it again: we should talk."

Barrister Gohar, in response, kept it short but positive: "Inshallah".

Sources indicate that this exchange took place shortly before a critical decision regarding reserved seats, which has become a focal point in the current political standoff. While the meeting was informal in tone, it is being regarded in political circles as a serious and meaningful development.

It's worth noting that this is not the first time PM Shehbaz has signalled openness to talks. In an earlier address to the National Assembly, he had stated, "For the sake of the country, all sides must come together and talk. Political differences can and should be resolved through dialogue."

Following Saturday's brief interaction, journalists sought a formal comment from Barrister Gohar outside the NA, but he declined to respond.

However, PTI insiders confirmed that the prime minister's offer will be conveyed to the incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, who remains the key decision-maker on whether the party will proceed with negotiations.