PM Shehbaz Invites Opposition to Talks; PTI Welcomes Offer

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again invited the opposition to hold talks, saying political issues should be resolved through dialogue, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan welcomed the offer but said government invitations for talks had so far remained limited to “offers”.

Chairing a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government had always remained willing to engage in dialogue and had expressed this position several times, both on the floor of the National Assembly and before the federal cabinet.

“I once again invite the opposition to sit together. Issues should be resolved through negotiations so that Pakistan’s economy and democracy can be further strengthened,” the prime minister said.

He said the government had always been ready for talks and that it was now up to the opposition to decide how quickly it was prepared to engage in dialogue.

"اپوزیشن کے ساتھ بامقصد بات چیت کے لیے حکومت تیار ہے۔ میں ایک بار پھر اپوزیشن کو دعوت دیتا ہوں کہ وہ آئیں، بیٹھ کر بات کریں اور معاملات کو مذاکرات کے ذریعے حل کریں، تاکہ پاکستان کی معاشی ترقی اور جمہوریت کو مزید تقویت دی جا سکے۔ اب یہ اپوزیشن پر منحصر ہے کہ وہ کتنی جلدی ایک… pic.twitter.com/1YDSRcx8q3

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 20, 2026

Responding to the prime minister’s invitation, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said government offers for negotiations had always remained merely “offers”.

Talking to the media, he said it would be a positive development if the prime minister took practical steps in this regard.

Barrister Gohar said this was the right time to take measures aimed at finding political solutions to political problems.

He stressed the need to take Pakistan in a better direction, improve the law-and-order situation and help the country move beyond terrorism and uncertainty.

حکومت نے ایک دفعہ پھر سے اپوزیشن کو مذاکرات کی دعوت دے دی مذاکرات اگر ہوتے ہیں تو اچھی بات ہے دہشت گردی پر مل کر کام کریں گے بیرسٹر گوہر pic.twitter.com/ro9WDXFjfT

— Mahrosh Pervaiz (@MahroshPervaiz1) August 20, 2026

“We need to work together to strengthen Pakistan’s defence, economy and democracy,” he said.

PTI Preparing Contempt Petition Over Imran Khan’s Hospital Transfer

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s 48-hour deadline for transferring PTI founder Imran Khan to Al-Shifa Hospital has expired.

The Supreme Court had ordered on August 18 at around 1pm that Imran Khan be transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital within 48 hours. However, more than 48 hours have passed without implementation of the court’s order.

Following the delay, PTI has prepared a contempt of court petition.

Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, reached Adiala Jail on Thursday to obtain his client’s signatures on the power of attorney.

Speaking to the media, the lawyer said the government was bound to transfer the PTI founder to the hospital within two days.

He warned that if Imran Khan was not transferred to Shifa Hospital by Thursday night, a contempt of court petition would be filed before the Supreme Court.