ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday renewed the government’s offer of dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but made it conditional on the party ending its ongoing march towards Islamabad.
Speaking at an event in the capital, the prime minister said prolonged protests, sit-ins and road blockades could have serious consequences for the country’s economy.
“Unfortunately, the politics of dharnas and long marches has once again returned,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that the ruling coalition had agreed to engage with the PTI to convince it to abandon its protest strategy.
“I ask you to end the long march and sit-in. Once you do that, we are ready to sit with you,” he said.
The remarks came as the PTI’s march, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, moved towards Islamabad after reaching Kohat.
The PTI launched the march on October 4 following the collapse of talks between the government, the opposition party and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) aimed at preventing the protest.
Three rounds of negotiations were held, but the dialogue ended without an agreement on Sunday, with both sides holding each other responsible for the deadlock.
The PTI had earlier shifted the date of its protest from September 27 to October 4, while the government had repeatedly stated that the march would not be permitted to enter the federal capital.
PM Shehbaz warned that prolonged disruptions could hurt exports, imports and industrial activity at a time when the country was pursuing economic growth and development.
“If workers and engineers are unable to reach factories and offices on time, Pakistan will bear the cost,” he said.
The prime minister also claimed that the government had succeeded in stabilising the economy after two and a half years of sustained efforts and collective work, saying its policies were aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
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