ISLAMABAD, October 6, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered fresh talks to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but asked the party to end its long march towards Islamabad first.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad on Tuesday, Shehbaz urged PTI to call off its protest and return to negotiations. He said the ruling coalition was ready for dialogue if the party ended the sit-in and march.
“Unfortunately, the shadows of dharnas and long marches have once again emerged,” the prime minister said.
He said the PML-N and PPP had agreed to pursue meaningful talks with PTI. The aim, he said, was to resolve political differences through dialogue.
“I urge you to come to your senses, end the long march and sit-in, and then we will sit with you,” Shehbaz said.
PTI March Moves Through KP
The offer came as the PTI-led protest march reached Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The march is being led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. PTI began the march on October 4 after government-opposition talks failed to prevent the protest.
The two sides held multiple rounds of negotiations before talks ended without an agreement. The government and PTI have blamed each other for the breakdown.
Dawn reported that the PTI convoy stayed overnight in Kohat and was scheduled to move towards Peshawar on Tuesday.
The dispute has focused partly on counterterrorism policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI has also raised issues concerning its founder, Imran Khan.
The government has repeatedly warned that the march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Tuesday that the march would not be allowed to proceed beyond Attock.
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PM Warns of Economic Impact
Shehbaz warned that prolonged protests could affect Pakistan’s economy.
He said road blockages and political unrest could disrupt exports, imports and manufacturing activities.
The prime minister said workers and engineers could face difficulties reaching factories and offices.
“If workers and engineers do not reach factories and offices on time, the loss will be Pakistan’s,” he said.
Shehbaz also defended the government’s economic performance.
He said Pakistan had achieved greater macroeconomic stability after two and a half years of government efforts.
He also pointed to improvements in exports, remittances and production.
Government Links Talks to Protest Withdrawal
The government has continued to link renewed negotiations with an end to the PTI protests.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said on Tuesday that further talks would remain conditional on PTI calling off its marches and protests.
PTI, meanwhile, has maintained its position on the issues that led to the breakdown in negotiations.
The political standoff continues as the march moves through KP and the government maintains its opposition to the protesters entering Islamabad.
For now, Shehbaz’s latest offer has opened the door to renewed dialogue, but the condition attached to it remains a major hurdle.
