Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that dialogue is “deeply embedded in the political process”, adding that it helped democracy to “mature and evolve”.

“Many political and constitutional breakthroughs occurred when political leaders sat across the table to craft a consensus,” he said.

“However, there is a major difference here, the anarchists and arsonists who wear the garb of politicians and attack the symbols of the state do not qualify for a dialogue. They should rather be held to account for their militant actions. This is the prevalent practice even in developed democracies,” he said.