PM Shehbaz renews dialogue offer to opposition

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday once again extended an offer of dialogue to the opposition, calling on all political parties to put aside their differences and collaborate for the sake of Pakistan’s stability, prosperity, and overall development.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the prime minister emphasized that Parliament represents the elected representatives of all four provinces and functions as a shared institution for the federation.

“The opposition members are our brothers. We have no personal enmity with them,” he stated, adding that political rivalries should never take precedence over national interests.

Reflecting on his time as opposition leader, Shehbaz Sharif recalled that he had repeatedly proposed a “Charter of Economy” aimed at building political consensus on economic reforms, but the proposal had been turned down at the time.

“I once again invite the opposition to come and sit together. I am ready for dialogue in the larger interest of the country because it is never too late,” he said.

The prime minister underscored that Pakistan’s survival and progress depend on unity, mutual respect, and sincerity among all political stakeholders.

“Politics has its place, but if Pakistan remains strong, all of us remain strong. It is our collective responsibility to make the country stable and prosperous,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the armed forces, noting that 22 Pakistan Army personnel had recently lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Muzaffarabad while performing their national duties.

He stated that terrorist elements, including Khawarij groups, have been involved in attacks across various parts of the country, particularly in Balochistan.

The prime minister also defended the fencing of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, describing it as an essential measure for ensuring national security.

“Our soldiers are sacrificing their lives in the fight against terrorism so that the nation’s children may live in peace. We must honour and respect our martyrs from the bottom of our hearts,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to provincial development, the prime minister stated that all provinces have an undeniable right to their natural resources, and ensuring equitable development across provinces remains his top priority.

Discussing the Reko Diq project, he explained that the agreement had been reached with the consent of stakeholders in Balochistan, calling the province’s share in the project a model for inclusive development.

Shehbaz Sharif also pointed out that under the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Balochistan’s share had been increased by 100 percent at the province’s request, with Punjab and other provinces voluntarily agreeing to the arrangement. He noted that Punjab alone had sacrificed Rs11 billion at that time, an amount that would now be worth over Rs100 billion.

The prime minister further revealed that the federal government had allocated Rs75 billion for providing solar panels to farmers in Balochistan, while nearly Rs300 billion is being spent to upgrade the Gwadar-Chaman highway into a dual carriageway.

He reaffirmed that all political and national forces must come together for the country’s development, stability, and prosperity, stressing that no sacrifice is too great for Pakistan’s future.a