Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said he is willing to hold talks with arch-rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the “larger national interest”, adding that the ruling PML-N and its coalitions partners have already sacrificed their political capital in an attempt to save the country from default. Refusing to divulge details about the possible backchannel talks with the PTI, PM Shehbaz said he is ready to “sacrifice everything” for national interest and added that the incumbent rulers sacrificed their political capital by taking tough economic decisions to save the country from default. His statement comes as former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has warned the government of holding a long march to Islamabad if the date for early elections is not announced in a few days. The Ministry of Planning and Development will carry out the youth initiatives, which also include spending Rs40 billion in 20 most underdeveloped districts and building 250 mini sports complexes. The prime minister said the programme would be expanded further and more initiatives would be launched for the youth, who were a considerable part of the population.

Source: The Express Tribune October 21, 2022 02:12 UTC