Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said he welcomed dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but emphasized this can only proceed on “legitimate” demands and attempts at “blackmail” under the guise of dialogue will not be tolerated.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, he said he had seen news reports about the PTI and other opposition parties discussing talks with the government. He recalled he had previously invited the PTI for dialogue, including on the floor of the National Assembly. “Discussions can only be held on legitimate demands. Blackmailing will not work under the guise of negotiations,” he added.
Earlier this week, in a post on incarcerated Imran Khan’s official X account, the former prime minister had appeared to reject an option for talks and directed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to prepare for street agitation. The PTI has since said they would follow Khan’s directions and would not continue to pursue dialogue.
Cabinet meeting
During its meeting, the federal cabinet approved the extension of the Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act, 2025 to include the sale of gas to captive power plants by third parties. It also approved amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance, 2002, aimed at aligning public tendering and procurement procedures with contemporary requirements.
The cabinet approved the repeal of the National University for Security Sciences Islamabad Bill, 2025 and constituted a committee to ensure effective consultation on private members’ bills and other legislation in the National Assembly. Additionally, it approved the National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy, 2025, aiming to promote the use of plant-based resources in the pharmaceutical and textile sectors under a regulated framework.
On the recommendation of the Interior Ministry, the cabinet approved a visa clearance system designed to facilitate Pakistani citizens traveling abroad by providing a transparent and secure mechanism for visa acquisition. It also ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases at its meetings held on Oct. 20, Nov. 5 and Nov. 21, as well as the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee at its meeting on Dec. 18.
In his concluding remarks, the prime minister stressed that the national interest was the guiding principle of the government’s decision-making, particularly in matters concerning economic reform, political stability and public confidence. He also congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s victory in the Under-19 cricket championship, calling it a moment of pride for the entire country. Similarly, he said the recent conferment of the King Abdulaziz Award on Field Marshal Asim Munir in Saudi Arabia reflected Pakistan’s collective dignity.