Islamabad, 6 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered negotiations to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urging the party to call off its long march and sit-ins and resolve political differences through meaningful dialogue. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government was ready to hold purposeful talks with the PTI leadership to find solutions to national issues through mutual understanding. He said roads, underpasses and bridges were being constructed to facilitate citizens and expressed hope that one day the Kashmir Highway would extend to Srinagar. Shehbaz Sharif regretted what he described as the return of long marches and sit-ins, saying the government’s negotiating committee had held discussions with the PTI in the Speaker’s Chamber for two days in the hope of achieving positive results. However, he claimed that the PTI delegation later sought changes to matters that had already been agreed upon. The prime minister said protests and sit-ins adversely affected the country’s economy, adding that the government had worked collectively over the past two and a half years to restore economic stability. He said Pakistan was now moving towards economic growth, citing increases in remittances and information technology exports. He also alleged that efforts were being made to disrupt the country’s development despite Pakistan gaining international recognition. The prime minister maintained that the law would take its course and said the government would not allow what he termed negative propaganda to succeed. He urged the PTI leadership to assess whether its current political strategy would benefit or harm the country. Reiterating his offer of dialogue, Shehbaz Sharif said the government was prepared to sit with the PTI once it called off its long march and sit-ins. He emphasized that protecting the lives and property of citizens was the government’s responsibility and urged the opposition to reconsider its approach in the national interest. He said the nation wanted Pakistan to progress through hard work, honesty and integrity.