Businessman Arif Habib urges PM Shehbaz to "shake hands" with Imran Khan

Business tycoon Arif Habib urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to shake hands with incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a bid to ensure political and economic stability in the country.

The request from the owner of top brokerage firm came during PM Shehbaz's meeting with the business community in Karachi.

During a Q&A session, Arif Habib lauded PM Shehbaz for his efforts in securing the much-needed loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during his last 1.5-year government.

However, he urged the premier to end a quarrel with the neighbouring country India and former prime minister Imran Khan.

“[…] shake two more hands, one with India and another with an inmate of Adiala jail. I think these two steps will yield positive results," he said.

Pakistan had suspended all bilateral trade with Indian following New Delhi's decision to revoke Article 370 in August 2019, which guaranteed a semi-autonomous status for Indian-occupied Kashmir.