Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invites PTI for talks after reserved seats ruling

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan shook hands during a National Assembly session on Thursday, June 26, 2025. A rare gesture of political conciliation was witnessed as PM Shehbaz extended a formal invitation to PTI for direct talks, aiming to ease the country’s tense political climate. The exchange occurred during a session when PM Shehbaz approached PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, initiating a brief but meaningful conversation, including a handshake. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of negotiations, stating, 'Let’s sit and talk — negotiations are the solution to everything.' Barrister Gohar responded optimistically with 'InshaAllah' (God willing).

Sources described the atmosphere as informal yet positive. The dialogue took place just before the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on reserved seats, which holds significant political implications. Efforts to obtain an official response from Barrister Gohar were unsuccessful, but PTI insiders confirmed that the Prime Minister’s offer would be conveyed to PTI founder Imran Khan.

This move aligns with recent calls for dialogue from PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, who emphasized the importance of defusing political tensions through talks. Despite these positive signs, prospects for reconciliation remain uncertain following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to bar PTI from claiming nearly 80 reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies, potentially altering the country’s political landscape.

The PTI strongly condemned the verdict, labeling it a violation of constitutional and democratic norms. The party criticized the distribution of reserved seats among parties lacking public support, calling it a mockery of democracy.

According to the source: The Express Tribune.