Signs of a potential thaw in the country’s tense political landscape appeared on Saturday when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expanded an offer for a dialogue to Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI). In a short but significant exchange during a session in the National Assembly, PTI chairman Barristrister Gohar Ali Khan replied with a hopeful response to a word: "Inshallah". According to parliamentary sources, the informal conversation took place during the NA session when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif went to Barrister Gohar, shook his hands with him and started a direct conversation.
"Let’s sit down and talk. Dialogue is the only solution to our problems," The prime minister was quoted as saying. "I said it before and I say it again: We should talk."
Barrister Gohar kept it in response short but positive: "Inshallah". Sources show that this exchange took place shortly before a critical decision on reserved seats, which has become a rallying point in the current political standoff. While the meeting was informal in tone, it is considered in political circles as a serious and meaningful development. It is worth noting that this is not the first time PM Shehbaz signalized openness to conversations. In a previous address to the National Assembly he had said, "For the sake of the country, all sides must meet and speak. Political differences can and should be solved through dialogue."
After Saturday’s short interaction, journalists applied for a formal comment from Barrister Gohar outside NA, but he refused to answer. However, PTI-Insiders confirmed that the Prime Minister’s offer will be transferred to the imprisoned party founder Imran Khan, who remains the most important decision maker as to whether the party will continue with the negotiations.
