PM Shehbaz urges PTI to call off long march, resolve issues through dialogue

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kashmir Chowk underpass in Islamabad on Tuesday, urging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to halt its long march to Islamabad and engage in political dialogue to resolve contentious issues. The opposition party continued with its march despite government warnings to prevent gatherings in Islamabad, with the aim of demanding the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Addressing the ceremony, Shehbaz Sharif called the long marches "unfortunate" and expressed concern over their impact on the economy, exports, imports, and manufacturing. The prime minister claimed that previous attempts at dialogue with other opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had failed due to the PTI's refusal to compromise.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the party's actions were harming the country's economy and endangering the lives of its citizens, warning that legal measures would be taken if necessary. PTI's Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed that talks were ongoing but conditionally dependent on the PTI calling off its protests.

Chaudhry emphasized that the state would take a firm stance, stating that the opposition's hardening of its position was now approaching.