Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again invited the opposition to negotiations.

Chairing the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad today, he emphasized the need to resolve issues through dialogue to promote economic development and strengthen democracy.

He said the government has consistently expressed its readiness for constructive dialogue with the opposition. He said it is now up to the opposition to decide when it is ready to come to the negotiating table.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over increase in IT exports, saying these rose by eighteen percent in the month of July. He said the government is making efforts to introduce digital technology across all sectors and emphasized the need to fully digitize the governance system.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and his team for introducing a fixed tax scheme for retailers. He said he has directed the FBR that there should be no harassment of retailers.

The Prime Minister commended the Minister for Petroleum and his team for reduction in the price of diesel by thirty-two rupees per liter, describing it as a welcome development.

Referring to the situation in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is consistently pursuing efforts for reduction in tensions and improvement of the situation in the region. He said the government has taken steps over the last two and a half years to bring improvement in the economy. He said normalization of the situation in the region is also important for our economy.

The Federal Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, accorded in-principle approval to the National Adolescent and Youth Policy.

The policy is a significant step forward towards creating a coherent national framework for the empowerment of Pakistan's youth.

The four key pillars of the national policy framework are education, employment, inclusiveness and environment.

For the implementation of the policy, the Pakistan Youth Development Council and the Federal Adolescent and Youth Agency are being established.

The Prime Minister directed that the proposals put forward by the Cabinet members regarding the policy be incorporated.