PM renews invitation to PTI for talks

PM renews invitation to PTI for discussions. Add BRecorder as a trusted source on Google.

Key points

• The cabinet further ratified decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases from meetings held on June 18, July 30, August 5 and August 18.
• While the process additionally incorporated the views of more than 200, 000 young residents, the cabinet was informed that 32, 145 surveys had been conducted nationwide during the formulation of the policy.
• The proposed amendments to the National Command Authority Act, the statement remarked, were a necessary step after the 27th Amendment.
• Last month, Prime Minister Sharif promoted Lt Gen Syed Aamer Raza to the rank of general and appointed him as the country's first CNSC.
• As part of the implementation mechanism, the administration will establish a Pakistan Youth Development Council and a Federal Adolescent and Youth Agency.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday renewed the government's invitation to the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for discussions, saying the administration was ready for meaningful negotiations and that "it takes two to tango".

Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister remarked the administration had created its position clear time and again and that it was now for the opposition to decide when it wanted to sit throughout the table.

"We are ready for meaningful dialogue. For this, I am inviting the opposition again from this forum for discussions to resolve all matters via dialogue, " the prime minister stated.

He remarked constructive engagement between the administration and opposition could support strengthen democracy and contribute to the country's economic development.

For context, the invitation came against the backdrop of continued political tensions between the administration and PTI, with the Supreme Court lately ordering that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment.

Earlier, the cabinet additionally approved drafts of two bills – the Defence Forces Act, 2026, and amendments to the National Command Authority Act, 2010 – relating to the country's military and nuclear command structures.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the Defence Forces Act was drafted in continuation of changes created to the Constitution under the 27th Amendment and seeks to provide for administrative matters relating to the office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the CDF headquarters.

For context, the proposed amendments to the National Command Authority Act, the statement remarked, were a necessary step after the 27th Amendment.

After approval from the cabinet, the National Assembly and Senate immediately passed the two bills.

Enacted in November last year, the 27th Amendment overhauled Pakistan's higher defence structure, abolishing the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and creating the post of CDF, to be concurrently held by the chief of army staff.

Field Marshal Asim Munir became the country's first chief of defence forces after the constitutional changes.

For context, the amendment additionally created the post of Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC), a four-star position responsible for the operational integration of the country's strategic forces.

In practice, the National Command Authority Act, 2010, nevertheless, still reflects the military command structure that existed before the 27th Amendment, necessitating amendments to bring the law in line with the new constitutional and command arrangements.

On the economic front, Prime Minister Sharif commended the Ministry of Petroleum, particularly Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, saying the administration had allocated Rs128 billion to provide relief to the public against the backdrop of tough economic circumstances.

He remarked the allocation had been produced by reducing the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Welcoming a Rs32-per-litre reduction in the cost of diesel, Sharif stated the administration was making every effort to provide relief to ordinary residents against the backdrop of persistent economic pressures.

He remarked Pakistan was an energy-importing country and was additionally feeling the impact of the global situation.

He observed that refineries and gas plants in a number of countries throughout the region had been shut down, adding to uncertainty in international energy markets.

For context, the cabinet additionally provided in-principle approval to the National Adolescent and Youth Policy, aimed at establishing a national framework to empower the country's young population.

Under the proposed policy, young individuals will be mainstreamed into administration policymaking and development programmes to create a more equitable economic and social environment for them.

In practice, the framework is based on four key pillars: education, employment, inclusion and the environment.

Prime Minister Sharif directed that suggestions proposed by cabinet members be incorporated into the policy before its implementation.

For context, the cabinet additionally ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises at its July 9 gathering.

It approved decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee taken at its August 14 session.

Notably, the cabinet further ratified decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases from meetings held on June 18, July 30, August 5 and August 18. Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises. Imran Khan shifted to Shifa International Hospital. Govt increases diesel cost by Rs1.64, petrol's by Re0.27 per litre.

Five categories of manufacturers/importers: FBR to charge sales tax on basis of value of supply. PD to establish new SPV for privatisation of three Discos. PD could not bear excessive taxation: Malik. Aurangzeb shares latest debt position with Senate. National Assembly passes bills related to military, National Command Authority.

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Taken together, the developments around PM renews invitation to PTI for talks point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.