The government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began talks on Friday as tensions continued over the opposition party’s planned October 4 march on Islamabad.
The talks followed a decision by the government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form a six-member delegation for negotiations with the PTI. The meeting was held at the office of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The development came after President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday. They reviewed the country’s political and security situation and discussed concerns over the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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The two leaders also stressed the need for stronger coordination among relevant institutions. They called for a united effort against terrorism and for maintaining peace and stability.
Six-Member Government Delegation
The government-PPP delegation includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam.
PPP representatives include Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani. The delegation was formed following consultations between the government and its coalition partner.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had confirmed that opposition and government representatives would meet at noon on Friday.
The talks come as the PTI continues preparations for its October 4 protest march. The party had earlier postponed the march from September 27 to October 4 but maintained its intention to proceed with the protest.
Opposition Calls for Unconditional Dialogue
Opposition leaders have called for negotiations without preconditions.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the opposition was ready to engage in dialogue. He also said the planned protest would remain peaceful.
Abbas said the opposition wanted reconciliation and a political solution to the current crisis. He rejected what he described as attempts to impose conditions on the talks.
The opposition has also criticised the government’s preparations to restrict the planned march. It has raised concerns about road closures, containers and reported arrests of PTI supporters.
Achakzai Rejects Speaker’s Chamber
National Assembly Opposition Leader and Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai said he would not attend talks at the Speaker’s Chamber.
Achakzai said he was willing to meet at another location. He also said he would meet political leaders at their homes if necessary.
He later said talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could take place after a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan.
The TTAP held a meeting with PTI leaders before the government talks. Participants discussed the political situation, the planned march and constitutional and parliamentary issues.
PTI Warns Against Emergency in KP
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan also criticised reports that the federal government could impose emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gohar said such measures would not resolve the political dispute. He argued that dialogue was the way to address the reasons behind the planned protest.
The PTI chairman also reiterated that the march would remain peaceful. He said his party remained ready for negotiations despite its political grievances.
The PTI had earlier warned that imposing emergency or governor’s rule in KP would not resolve the situation. The party has maintained that it intends to proceed with the October 4 march.
Government Keeps Emergency Option Open
The federal government has continued to discuss possible constitutional measures in response to the situation in KP.
Rana Sanaullah said the government and PTI had been engaged in “off-the-record” consultations over the planned protest. He said the PTI leadership would ultimately decide whether to proceed with the march.
Sanaullah also said the government had preparations in place to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad.
The issue of governor’s rule and emergency in KP has also featured in consultations between the federal government and its coalition partners. Dawn reported that the option of emergency was discussed during Thursday’s meeting, although the government decided to pursue dialogue first.
Talks Begin Amid Political Standoff
The negotiations represent the latest attempt to reduce tensions between the federal government and the PTI.
The two sides remain divided over the October 4 march, political grievances and the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The government has indicated that it wants the protest call addressed through political engagement. The PTI, meanwhile, has linked its demands to broader political and legal grievances.
The negotiating committees began their meeting in Islamabad on Friday. The outcome could influence the next steps ahead of the October 4 protest.
