PM Shehbaz says govt ready for constructive dialogue with opposition

PM meets Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.

Key points

• The cabinet further ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases at its meetings held on June 18, July 30, August 5, and August 18, 2026.
• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amb.
• The cabinet additionally ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises at its gathering held on July 9, 2026.
• The Federal Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, accorded in-principle approval to the National Adolescent and Youth Policy.
• The cabinet was informed that the policy was formulated after conducting 32, 145 surveys nationwide, incorporating the opinions of more than 200, 000 young residents nationwide.

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again invited the opposition to negotiations on Thursday.

While chairing the federal cabinet session in Islamabad, he emphasised the need to resolve matters through dialogue to promote economic development and strengthen democracy.

He remarked the administration has consistently expressed its readiness for constructive dialogue with the opposition. He remarked it is now up to the opposition to decide when it is ready to come to the negotiating table. Jailed Imran Khan shifted to hospital against the backdrop of tight security.

Notably, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over growth in IT exports, saying these rose by eighteen percent in the month of July. He remarked the administration is making efforts to introduce digital technology throughout all sectors and emphasized the need to fully digitize the governance system.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and his team for introducing a fixed tax scheme for retailers. He remarked he has directed the FBR that there should be no harassment of retailers. The prime minister commended the Minister for Petroleum and his team for reduction in the cost of diesel by thirty-two rupees per liter, describing it as a welcome development. Senate, NA pass bills restructuring military, nuclear command.

Referring to the situation in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister remarked Pakistan is consistently pursuing efforts for reduction in tensions and improvement of the situation in the region. He remarked the administration has taken steps over the last two and a half years to bring improvement in the economy. He remarked normalization of the situation in the region is additionally significant for our economy.

Notably, the Federal Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, accorded in-principle approval to the National Adolescent and Youth Policy.

Notably, the policy is a significant step forward towards creating a coherent national framework for the empowerment of Pakistan's youth.

Meanwhile, the four key pillars of the national policy framework are education, employment, inclusiveness and environment.

For the implementation of the policy, the Pakistan Youth Development Council and the Federal Adolescent and Youth Agency are being established.

Notably, the Prime Minister directed that the proposals proposed by the Cabinet members regarding the policy be incorporated.

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Additionally, the federal cabinet approved in principle the National Adolescent and Youth Policy. It prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif termed a significant step toward empowering the country's youth.

Notably, the cabinet session, presided over by the prime minister here, approved the policy on the recommendation of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, describing it as a major development towards creating an integrated national framework for the country's young population, a Prime Minister's Office news release stated.

For context, the session was informed that the policy seeks to mainstream youth at the administration level, ensuring equitable and improved economic and social opportunities for young residents. The framework rests on four core pillars: education, employment, inclusion and environment.

To implement the policy, the administration is establishing the Pakistan Youth Development Council and the Federal Adolescent and Youth Agency.

In practice, the cabinet was informed that the policy was formulated after conducting 32, 145 surveys nationwide, incorporating the opinions of more than 200, 000 young residents nationwide.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that suggestions proposed by cabinet members during the session be incorporated into the policy before its final adoption.

Notably, the cabinet additionally ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises at its gathering held on July 9, 2026.

Similarly, the cabinet endorsed decisions created by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) during its gathering on August 14, 2026.

Meanwhile, the cabinet further ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases at its meetings held on June 18, July 30, August 5, and August 18, 2026.

PM Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday while recalling the historic and multifaceted Pakistan-Syria ties, emphasized the need to translate the longstanding Pakistan-Syria friendship into enhanced cooperation throughout politics, defence, trade, investment, education, and human resource development.

Notably, the prime minister created these remarks during a call on him by Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani here, a Prime Minister's Office news release stated.

Welcoming Al-Shaibani and his delegation, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and recalled his recent interactions with him. He additionally reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast backing for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria.

He stated that the resumption of direct flights between the two countries would enhance people-to-people exchanges and facilitate plenty of pilgrims who undertake religious visits to Syria from Pakistan. The prime minister additionally extended an invitation to President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amb. Amna Baloch were additionally present during the gathering.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif described the launch of the digital Proof of Life Certificate system for pensioners as a major step towards facilitating millions of pensioners nationwide, particularly elderly and physically challenged citizens.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Proof of Life Certificate facility for pensioners, the prime minister remarked the initiative would benefit both civilian and military pensioners, including senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.

He remarked the introduction of the system was a matter of great happiness for him as it represented an notable service to pensioners and a significant step towards making their lives easier.

Notably, the prime minister remarked facilitating elderly citizens and serving persons with disabilities was not merely a routine administrative measure but a great service to humanity.

He appreciated the federal ministers, authorities and institutions that had worked on the initiative and congratulated them for undertaking the task of introducing the modern system. PM Shehbaz notes govt ready for constructive dialogue with opposition.

In short, PM Shehbaz says govt ready for constructive dialogue with opposition is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.