Prime minister says government is ready for dialogue if PTI ends its protest campaign, while warning that economic activity and public safety must be protected

ISLAMABAD, October 6, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has renewed the government’s offer of talks to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urging the opposition party to end its long march and sit-ins as a condition for renewed negotiations.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime minister said the government was prepared to engage with the opposition if the ongoing protest campaign was called off. His remarks came as the PTI-led long march continued its movement through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad.

“End your long march. If you end it, then we will certainly sit with you and talk,” PM Shehbaz said, stressing the need for mutual trust and efforts to move Pakistan forward.

The latest offer comes after government and opposition representatives held talks over the PTI’s planned march. The negotiations ended without an agreement, with both sides remaining divided over key demands.

PM Shehbaz says talks failed despite negotiations

The prime minister said the government had decided to pursue dialogue after consultations and that representatives of the government and opposition had held two days of discussions in the chamber of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

He said there had initially been hopes that the talks would produce a positive outcome, but the negotiations ultimately failed.

According to the prime minister, differences emerged towards the end of the process, preventing the two sides from reaching an agreement.

The PTI had accepted the government’s invitation for talks before the march, but the subsequent negotiations failed to resolve the political deadlock.

PM warns of economic impact

PM Shehbaz said prolonged protest activity could disrupt economic activity, particularly if workers, engineers and other employees were unable to reach factories, production facilities and offices.

“There is no doubt that the first target of this sit-in and long-march politics will be your economy,” he said, arguing that disruption to businesses would ultimately affect the wider national economy.

The prime minister said the government had spent around a year and a half working to stabilise the economy.

He claimed that Pakistan had achieved macroeconomic stability and said the country had now reached a stage where the focus should shift towards growth and development.

PM Shehbaz also pointed to improvements in exports, IT exports, remittances and domestic production, saying these developments had contributed to an improved international standing for Pakistan.

PTI march continues towards Islamabad

The renewed political tension comes as the PTI’s long march continues towards the federal capital.

The march, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, began from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is aimed at demanding the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, alongside broader political demands. Reuters reported that the march was launched after negotiations between the government and PTI failed.

The convoy has travelled through areas including Lakki Marwat and Karak and reached Kohat. PTI’s announced schedule has the procession moving towards Peshawar before continuing its mobilisation towards Islamabad.

Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Tuesday that the march would not be allowed to proceed beyond Attock, while the federal government has maintained that gatherings in Islamabad will not be permitted.

PM Shehbaz said the government would not allow activities that could threaten public safety or damage property, adding that maintaining the security of citizens and protecting their livelihoods remained the government’s responsibility.

Kashmir Chowk Underpass project

Earlier in his speech, the prime minister praised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his team for planning to complete the Kashmir Chowk Underpass within a month.

PM Shehbaz said infrastructure projects such as roads, flyovers and underpasses were important for facilitating the daily movement of students, workers, cyclists, rickshaw drivers and other citizens.

He expressed hope that the road associated with the project would eventually extend towards Kashmir and Srinagar.

The Kashmir Chowk project is part of a wider programme to improve Islamabad’s traffic infrastructure. The Capital Development Authority has previously identified the underpass as a major project aimed at improving traffic flow at the busy junction.

Naqvi outlines Islamabad development plans

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Kashmir Chowk Underpass was among projects being undertaken as part of preparations to transform Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference.

Naqvi said the government was focusing on improving Islamabad’s infrastructure, beautification and facilities for visiting delegations.

He said the underpass and Islamabad Expressway were among the projects being pursued, adding that their completion would reduce travel time between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Naqvi also outlined plans for a plastic-free and cashless Islamabad, with December 31 set as the target for the initiatives.

The minister said the government was also working on expanding Islamabad’s green spaces, including plans to develop F-9 Park along the lines of Hyde Park and construct a 450-acre safari park.

He also said another park roughly comparable in size to F-9 Park was planned.

Naqvi said Islamabad’s population had tripled while major development work had remained limited for two to three decades, making infrastructure upgrades a priority.

The government is also working to digitise land records in Islamabad, with December 31 set as the target, he added.

Government urges focus on public service

Naqvi also contrasted the performance of elected representatives, saying voters would ultimately assess politicians based on how they use their time and whether they focus on public service.

The minister urged citizens to consider whether elected representatives were devoting their time to public responsibilities or political confrontation.

The prime minister’s latest offer of talks comes as the PTI march proceeds and the political dispute remains unresolved. The government has continued to call for an end to the protest before negotiations, while PTI has proceeded with its mobilisation towards the capital following the failure of the latest round of talks.