ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government “remains committed” to its “principled stance” of peaceful dialogue with all political parties for national development, prosperity and political harmony.
The prime minister made the statement as he chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, days after an opposition alliance – TTAP – released its charter of demands following a two-day conference, while also announcing “a gridlock and a halt” to protests on the second anniversary of the “highly rigged” February 8 elections.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting, Shehbaz said he had personally repeatedly proposed dialogue to all political parties. However, he clarified that no attempt to disrupt public order under the cover of political dialogue could succeed.
“Dialogue can only move forward on the basis of legitimate demands and constitutional principles,” he said, stressing that political harmony is essential for Pakistan’s stability and progress.
Shehbaz said national interest would remain the guiding principle of government decisions, particularly on economic reform, political stability and public trust.
Earlier, the federal cabinet approved key decisions related to the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and reiterated the government’s strong commitment to transparency, political dialogue and economic reform.
At the extraordinary meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House, the cabinet formally approved the decisions taken earlier in the day by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization regarding the PIA. The cabinet also prayed for the smooth and successful completion of all stages of the privatization process.
Addressing the cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the privatization of PIA would be carried out in a transparent, credible and reliable manner, noting that the bidding process would be televised live on television.
He said sealed bids would be placed in transparent boxes, with envelopes opened only after price determination, and the award would be made through a competitive process to the highest bidder.
“This is one of the largest financial transactions in the history of Pakistan and hence the entire process must be transparent and credible,” he said, adding that the outcome of the tender would be submitted to the cabinet for final approval.
He urged cabinet members to actively participate so that decisions can be made with collective wisdom.
He also appreciated the efforts of relevant ministries and cabinet members in pushing forward the privatization agenda, particularly commending the roles of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Finance.
He described the day as important for the future of the PIA and expressed confidence that a transparent process would improve economic management and build confidence in the private sector.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s victory in the Under-19 Cricket Championship, terming it a proud moment for the entire country.
He also referred to the recent presentation of the King Abdulaziz Award to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir by Saudi Arabia, saying the honor belonged not to an individual but to the entire nation and reflected the collective dignity of Pakistan.
The federal cabinet also approved several important policy and legislative measures.
On the recommendation of the Petroleum Division, the cabinet approved the expansion of the Off-Grid Power Plant Levy Act, 2025 to include the sale of gas to captive power plants by third parties.
To modernize public procurement processes, the cabinet approved in principle amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance 2002, aimed at aligning public tendering and procurement procedures with contemporary requirements.
The cabinet also approved the repeal of the National University of Security Sciences Islamabad Bill 2025 and constituted a committee to ensure effective consultation on private member’s bills and other laws in the National Assembly.
It approved the National Cannabis Control and Regulation Policy 2025, which aims to promote the use of plant resources in the pharmaceutical and textile sectors within a regulated framework.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior, the cabinet approved a visa authorization system designed to facilitate Pakistani citizens traveling abroad by providing a transparent and secure mechanism for obtaining visa.
The Federal Cabinet also ratified the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs during its meetings held on October 20, November 5 and November 21, 2025, as well as the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee taken during its meeting on December 18, 2025.
