PM Shehbaz invites opposition to dialogue ‘to strengthen economy, democracy’
Prime Minister Muhammad 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. Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government had always been ready for dialogue and he had…
On Thursday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif once more extended an invitation to the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue with the government, emphasizing that resolving political matters through discussions is essential to bolster Pakistan's economy and democracy. Addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Sharif reiterated the government's long-standing readiness for dialogue, as previously expressed both in the National Assembly and before the cabinet.
The prime minister explicitly invited the opposition to join in dialogue, stating that it was now up to them to decide when they were prepared to engage constructively. He welcomed the recent reduction in the price of diesel by Rs32 per litre, acknowledging the significance of this achievement given the challenging circumstances in the Gulf region and global oil supply disruptions.
Sharif commended the efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum and its team in securing the price cut, particularly noting Pakistan's status as a net energy importer, making the country especially vulnerable to international energy supply instability.
He pointed out that the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have experienced severe disruptions, with several refineries and gas plants closing in various countries. Pakistan, as a net energy importer, has been significantly impacted by these developments. The prime minister recalled the government's initial allocation of Rs128 billion to manage oil prices during the conflict outbreak and the subsequent contributions from provincial governments to provide relief.
Sharif expressed optimism about the potential improvement in the regional situation in the coming weeks and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting efforts aimed at reducing tensions and maintaining stability in the area. He also highlighted recent positive economic developments, such as the government's ongoing initiatives that are gradually yielding results.
The prime minister mentioned the launch of an application for retailers, developed in consultation with the trading community, and directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) not to impose unnecessary burdens on traders, noting the business community's consensus on this matter.
Furthermore, Shehbaz congratulated the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications on an 18% increase in IT exports in July 2026, praising this growth as a positive development for Pakistan's digital economy. He welcomed the establishment of a Google office in Pakistan, expressing confidence that Google's presence would contribute to the country's digital transformation and support the government's efforts to digitize all departments.
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