PM Shehbaz once again extends olive branch to opposition for economic, democratic stability

Says govt has always been ready for dialogue and he has repeatedly expressed this position on the floor of the NA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday once again invited the opposition to sit with the government for constructive dialogue, saying that political matters should be resolved through talks to further strengthen Pakistan’s economy and democracy.

PM Shehbaz had last extended a similar invitation to the opposition in June, calling for constructive dialogue and a “charter of democracy” to strengthen the country’s economy and democratic system. He had also repeatedly offered talks during his government’s tenure. The call comes two days after the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to shift incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan to a private hospital. Government ministers objected to the order and have since filed a review petition in the SC.

“I once again invite the opposition to come and sit together. Matters should be resolved through dialogue so that Pakistan’s economy and democracy can be further strengthened,” he said, adding that it was now up to the opposition to decide how soon it was ready for constructive engagement.

براہِ راست:وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی کابینہ اجلاس میں ابتدائی گفتگو https://t.co/pis7t52cLx

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2026

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister said the government had always been ready for dialogue, and he had repeatedly expressed this position on the floor of the National Assembly as well as before the cabinet.

The call for dialogue comes a day after Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) leader and Senate Opposition Leader Mahmood Achakzai at Parliament House. Bilawal called for coordination on upcoming legislation, electoral reforms and appointments to the Election Commission of Pakistan, while Achakzai said the TTAP was prepared to act as a bridge between the PPP and PTI.

The prime minister also welcomed the reduction of Rs 32 per litre in the price of diesel, and said the achievement was particularly significant in view of the difficult situation prevailing in the Gulf region and disruptions to global oil supplies.

He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum and its team in securing the reduction, noting that Pakistan was a net energy importer and was therefore particularly vulnerable to disruptions in international energy supplies.

Referring to the prevailing situation in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz, he said oil supplies had been severely disrupted, while a number of refineries and gas plants in different countries had been closed.

“The region is passing through a difficult time, and Pakistan, being a net importer of energy, is specifically affected by the situation,” he said.

The prime minister recalled that following the outbreak of the conflict, the federal government had arranged Rs128 billion to help control oil prices, while the provinces had subsequently also contributed towards efforts to provide relief.

He expressed hope that the regional situation would improve in the coming weeks and said Pakistan would continue playing its role in efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring stability.

The prime minister also highlighted recent positive developments in the economy, saying the government’s measures were gradually producing results and needed to be sustained so that economic conditions could return to normal.

Referring to the launch of an application for retailers, he said the initiative was done in consultation with the trading community. He directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) not to unnecessarily inconvenience traders, noting that the business community had reached consensus on the matter.

The prime minister also congratulated the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications and its team on an 18 per cent increase in IT exports in July 2026, saying the growth was a positive development for the country’s digital economy.

He further welcomed the establishment of a Google office in Pakistan, saying the presence of the global technology company would contribute to the country’s digital transformation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government was working to digitise all departments and expressed the hope that Google’s presence in Pakistan would further support these efforts.

The prime minister has repeatedly sought political engagement with the opposition, making dialogue a recurring theme of his government’s approach to political affairs. During the National Assembly’s budget session in June, he renewed his invitation to the opposition to sit with the government for talks and work towards a “charter of democracy”.

Responding to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai over provincial rights, development funds and the security situation, PM Shehbaz had stressed the importance of political consensus and said differences should be addressed through dialogue. He also said the federal government had a responsibility to ensure equitable development across all four provinces and called for greater unity in addressing the country’s challenges.

In December 2025, PM Shehbaz again said his government was committed to peaceful dialogue with all political parties and that he had personally extended offers for talks on multiple occasions. He, however, warned that political dialogue could not be used as a means to disrupt law and order, saying talks had to be based on legitimate demands and constitutional principles.