PM Shehbaz Sharif offers talks to jailed Imran Khan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered talks to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to settle political disputes.

"If their [PTI] founder is facing troubles [in jail], then I reiterate: come, let's sit down and talk," said the premier while speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The premier said that there was a time in this house when politicians would severely criticise one another, but they would also stand with their rivals through thick and thin.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been at loggerheads for years, particularly after the February 8 elections, which Imran's party claims it had won.

Speaking about the 2018 elections, the prime minister said: "We joined the parliament despite the [rigged] polls. The sort of slogans that were raised during my first speech will always be remembered as a dark chapter in the history books."

"If someone is facing any injustice, then I believe that the scales of justice should be in favour of those [being victimised], there is no difference over it — whether it be any politician or anyone from any walk of life."

The PM lamented that he had once again, while he was in the opposition, proposed Imran to sit on the talking table but such slogans were raised again. "So who is responsible for this bitterness [between politicians]. We don't even shake hands now," he expressed.

He also mentioned how Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah were treated during their time in jail.