Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday invited opposition leaders in parliament to engage in talks, stressing that democratic values could only be strengthened by resolving differences through dialogue.

Addressing the National Assembly, the prime minister recalled that he had repeatedly proposed charters of democracy and economy with the opposition in the past, but his offers were turned down.

He said that he held opposition leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Barrister Gohar Khan, in high regard.

“I am available. It is never too late to mend,” the prime minister maintained while addressing the opposition benches.

The prime minister said that members in the house belonged to all parts of the country, and this esteemed house is likened to a home, accommodating people from the four provinces.

He maintained that their visions, thoughts and politics might differ, but to make Pakistan stronger and enhance its esteem among the comity of nations, they must give the message that they would thrive if the country exists.

Referring to a remark of the leader of the opposition, the prime minister said that inhabitants of the respective provinces had their due rights over provincial economic resources, and there was no dispute.

Citing the Reko Diq agreement, he said it was reached in consultations with the provincial leadership and the residents.

Terming it as ‘a bright example’, he further said that during 2010, a historic NFC award was reached in which the shares of people of Balochistan had been enhanced by 100 per cent.

Punjab had allocated the major share at that time by earmarking Rs11 billion annually, he said, adding that other provinces also contributed.

The prime minister said that Rs75 billion had been allocated for the solarisation in the province, which benefited farmers, while from Gwadar to Chaman, a road was being constructed for Rs300 billion.

He said the demand for the road was not made by the opposition leader, but considering it as his responsibility as the prime minister, he approved its construction.

It was the onus of his office that all the provinces should equally move on the path of progress and prosperity.

The prime minister, expressing grief over the martyrdom of 22 security personnel in a helicopter crash, said that the two crew members belonged to the Christian community.

He said terrorism in Balochistan was being supported by foreign hands, and the government had proved their involvement with solid evidence.

To another point of the opposition leader, the prime minister justified the fencing of the Durand Line for the security of the people and the country and said that it was the right decision.

The prime minister said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been affected by terrorism, where personnel of law enforcement agencies, security forces and armed forces were facing it bravely and sacrificing their lives.

“They left their children orphans but saved millions of children of the nation. We collectively owe to their sacrifices; therefore, we should pay homage to martyrs,” he stressed.