RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s dialogue offer but emphasised that it must not remain limited to mere lip service.
Speaking to the media on the Adiala Road on Tuesday, the PTI chairman lamented that the prime minister had yet to extend a well-intentioned hand towards the opposition. He stated that as leader of the House, Shehbaz should personally approach them for talks, questioning why the prime minister is unable to facilitate meetings given his authority.
Gohar emphasized that a meeting with the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, is absolutely crucial for passing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget. Dismissing rumours regarding a forward bloc or the nomination of a new chief minister in the province, he clarified that the grievances of all members of the provincial assembly will be addressed, adding that Sohail Afridi enjoys the full support of Imran Khan.
Regarding the national economy, he stated that while he was unaware of the specific details of a recent meeting between the prime minister and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, economic stability and a strong defence can only be achieved through political stability.
Lauding Pakistan’s historic role as a mediator between Iran and the United States, the PTI chairman suggested that a similar peace accord is required internally to restore true democracy, uphold the Constitution, revive the economy and safeguard public rights.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will not present a full-term final budget until detailed consultations are held with party founder Imran Khan. Instead, the provincial government will only pass an interim budget covering a three-month period.
Meanwhile, the PTI demanded that the government immediately pass on the benefits of plummeting global oil prices to the beleaguered masses by announcing a major cut in the prices of petroleum products.
On the other hand, the Adiala Jail administration on Tuesday arranged a meeting between former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
