Country needs reconciliation: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while terming contacts and dialogue among political parties as the real spirit of the democracy on Monday, said that avoiding dialogue is an undemocratic approach, which makes the situation tense and harms the environment of national solidarity.

The prime minister was talking to Senator Irfan Siddiqui, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLMN) and Spokesman for the Government’s Committee which held negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at PM House on Monday.

The prime minister said these contacts help in preparing a joint strategy to resolve issues facing the country and nation. He noted that Pakistan needs reconciliation and harmony instead of chaos, agitation and confrontation to evolve a joint strategy to deal with the issues pertaining to economic development and eradication of terrorism. He said that contacts and negotiations among political parties were the spirit of democracy.

Shehbaz Sharif said the country is making development and progress while its image at the global stage is improving. “We will not let anyone hinder the process of development and progress through undemocratic approaches,” the prime minister said.

Irfan Siddiqui briefed the prime minister about the discussions held so far with the PTI dialogue committee.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will chair a fourth meeting (in-camera) of negotiations between Treasury and Opposition on Tuesday, January 28 at 11.45 am in the Constitution Room of the Parliament House, a notice of meeting issued by the National Assembly Secretariat on Monday said.

Meanwhile, Senator Irfan Siddiqui warned that the government committee would be dissolved if the PTI boycotted the fourth round of talks slated to be held on Tuesday. The development came days after the PTI decided to boycott the fourth round of talks with the government for a “delay” over the formation of judicial commissions to probe the May 9, 2023 violent protests and a crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad on November 26 last year.

Taking to Geo News, Senator Siddiqui termed PTI’s stance related to the ongoing talks “illogical”, saying that the former ruling party took six weeks to share their demands with the government’s team, while the ruling coalition just sought seven working days for a written response to the Imran Khan-led party’s demands. He said that in joint declaration of third meeting, seven working days were mentioned to meet PTI’s demand.

The dialogue process hit snag when PTI leaders said that they would attend the fourth round of talks only if the government forms the judicial commission. On other hand, the government says that they would give their written response to the PTI’s demand in the next round of negotiation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to foster economic stability promote commerce and ensure Pakistan’s resurgence as a progressive and thriving nation.

Addressing the inauguration of a six star Movenpick Hotel in Islamabad on Monday he said Pakistan has embarked on the journey of economic growth and prosperity.

The prime minister said it is a proud moment for Pakistan that a state-of-the-art international hotel has been launched. He commended the Centaurus Group for their nation-building efforts and thanked the Movenpick management for bringing world-class hospitality to our country.

The prime minister assured extensive efforts by the incumbent government to ensure ease of doing business and trade facilitation to businessmen for reviving economic growth. He highlighted the growth in exports particularly in the IT sector and outlined the government’s vision for economic development in agriculture industry, IT, mining and minerals sectors.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to further strengthen the legal framework to curb human smuggling.

The prime minister, chairing the maiden meeting of the task force formed to curb human smuggling asked the Interior Ministry to extend cooperation to the Law Ministry for the purpose.

Calling for a swift enforcement of the Federal Prosecution Act 2023, he asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit the data on human smugglers collected during the investigation to the Foreign Office to ensure their early extradition.

The prime minister ordered the issuance of red warrants of proclaimed offenders in human smuggling cases, emphasising collective effort to do away with the menace.

The prime minister told the meeting that 27 human smugglers involved in the Morocco boat capsizing incident had been identified and five of them had already been arrested. Federal Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Pakistan Railways to provide improved travelling facilities to passengers through the public-private partnership.

The prime minister, chairing a meeting to discuss the matters pertaining to the Pakistan Railways, called for a strategy to attract customers by offering them competitive rates and facilities, according to a PM Office press release.

He asked the Railways to utilise its land for commercial purposes in collaboration with the private sector and also formulate a strategy to enhance trade activity in the region, particularly with the Central Asian states.

The prime minister also instructed to utilise the services of professional and capable manpower and replace the conventional railway system with the modern one using the latest technology.

He also called for measures to ensure the profitability of the freight as well as the passenger services. During the briefing, it was told that the 2022 floods had inflicted Rs10 billion loss to Pakistan Railways as rail tracks remained inundated for 35 days.

The meeting was told that 18% of unnecessary workforces has been dismissed as part of the rightsizing process. Besides, work on the communication linkage of Thar Coal was going on swiftly.

Federal ministers Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aleem Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema and Sardar Awais Leghari, and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended his heartiest congratulations to President Aleksandr Lukashenko on his seventh victory in Belarus’ presidential elections.

The prime minister took to X, the social micro blogging website to felicitate the Belarusian President. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wished President Lukashenko continued success for a historic 7th term in office. “We will keep working together to realize our shared vision for stronger Pak-Belarus ties,” the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan and Japan enjoyed friendly ties, which was evident by the tremendous goodwill that existed among the people of both countries towards each other.

He recalled the excellent history of bilateral cooperation and appreciated Japan’s support for Pakistan’s economic and industrial development efforts. The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen trade and investment cooperation with Japan.

The ambassador of Japan reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development goals and promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields.