Prime Minister Holds Cordial Meeting with Opposition Leaders, Visits Opposition Benches

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a cordial discussion with opposition leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Asad Qaiser, and Barrister Gohar, and personally walked over to the opposition benches to meet them during proceedings.

According to sources, opposition leaders raised the issue of tax exemptions for the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) before the Prime Minister.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had assured opposition representatives that the government would take up the matter of FATA and PATA tax exemptions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved through negotiations.

Rana Sanaullah stated that opposition leaders discussed the FATA and PATA tax matters directly with the Prime Minister. Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, a delegation met to deliberate on the issue, while the Finance Minister pledged to engage with the IMF regarding the tax arrangements.

He added that the government is making efforts to secure an extension of the tax exemptions that are due to expire.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue, Rana Sanaullah said that democratic issues should be resolved through consultation and negotiations. He also reiterated the Prime Minister’s proposal for a “Charter of Stability for Pakistan,” noting that the offer remains open and that the government is willing to engage in discussions on all matters of national importance.