Shehbaz Sharif urges opposition to resolve political differences through talks as government highlights diesel relief and economic gains.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday once again invited the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue with the government, stressing that political differences should be resolved through talks to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and democracy.
Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister said the government had consistently remained willing to engage with the opposition and had repeatedly conveyed its position on the floor of the National Assembly and during cabinet meetings.
“I once again invite the opposition to come and sit together. Matters should be resolved through dialogue so that Pakistan’s economy and democracy can be further strengthened,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif said the decision now rested with the opposition on when it was ready to enter into constructive negotiations.
PM welcomes diesel price cut
The prime minister also welcomed the Rs32 per litre reduction in diesel prices, describing it as particularly significant amid the difficult situation in the Gulf region and disruptions to global energy supplies.
He praised the Ministry of Petroleum and its team for securing the reduction, noting that Pakistan, as a net energy importer, remained vulnerable to disruptions in international oil and gas supplies.
Referring to developments in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz, the prime minister said oil supplies had been severely disrupted, while several refineries and gas plants in different countries had been forced to shut down.
“The region is passing through a difficult time, and Pakistan, being a net importer of energy, is specifically affected by the situation,” he said.
The prime minister recalled that following the outbreak of the conflict, the federal government had allocated Rs128 billion to help contain oil prices. The provinces subsequently contributed to efforts aimed at providing relief to consumers.
He expressed hope that the regional situation would improve in the coming weeks and said Pakistan would continue playing its role in reducing tensions and promoting regional stability.
PM highlights economic progress
Prime Minister Shehbaz said recent developments indicated that government measures were beginning to produce positive results, while stressing that economic reforms and efforts needed to be sustained.
He said continued implementation of government policies was necessary to bring economic conditions back to normal and support sustainable growth.
Referring to the launch of an application for retailers, the prime minister said the initiative had been developed in consultation with the trading community.
He directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) not to unnecessarily inconvenience traders, saying the business community had reached a consensus on the initiative.
IT exports rise 18%
The prime minister also congratulated the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications and its team after IT exports increased by 18% in July 2026.
He described the growth as an encouraging development for Pakistan’s digital economy and said the government was taking measures to further expand the information technology sector.
Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed the establishment of a Google office in Pakistan, saying the presence of the global technology company would contribute to the country’s digital transformation.
He said the government was working to digitise government departments and expressed hope that Google’s presence would further support these efforts and help strengthen Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.