ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the government’s willingness to engage in talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to address prevailing issues, emphasizing sincerity and seriousness in negotiations.

According to a statement by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during a Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Sharif expressed disappointment at PTI’s reluctance to engage in dialogue. Despite the government’s efforts to create a suitable environment for discussions, PTI has so far avoided participating in the process.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to dialogue by forming a committee, led by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, to facilitate discussions. However, the PTI’s absence from the meeting on the 28th of this month led to the unilateral termination of talks.

Stressing the importance of stability, Prime Minister Sharif stated that the country cannot afford unrest and that dialogue is essential for development. He also addressed the war on terrorism, acknowledging the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

The Prime Minister urged collective responsibility in honoring these sacrifices and emphasized the need for unity in achieving Pakistan’s development and security goals.

On the economic front, Prime Minister Sharif noted the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to lower the policy rate by one percent, which he believes will boost economic growth and trade activities.

He also voiced concern over human trafficking incidents affecting Pakistan’s global image and announced a comprehensive investigation into these cases, pledging serious efforts to tackle the issue.