Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have said reconciliation with the government is not possible without involving party founder Imran Khan in political talks.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja outlined the party’s position after negotiations with the government ended without an agreement over the weekend.
Raja said Imran Khan must be part of any future political dialogue.
“Only [Imran] has the capability to bridge the gulf that has developed between the state and the nation,” Raja said.
PTI Explains Talks Deadlock
PTI has said access to Imran Khan was a central issue in the failed negotiations.
The party maintained that its negotiating team wanted to consult Khan on major political and national matters. It said the government did not agree to make such access part of the proposed understanding.
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PTI also raised disagreements over counterterrorism policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Raja said the party wanted the federal and provincial governments to jointly develop a strategy for tackling terrorism in the province.
He said PTI could not support measures that excluded the provincial government from key decisions.
Government Disputes PTI Account
Government representatives have rejected PTI’s version of why the negotiations failed.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said most issues had been addressed during the talks. He said the remaining disagreement focused mainly on counterterrorism policy and the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The government also said discussions had addressed arrangements for Imran Khan to meet his family and lawyers.
The two sides, however, failed to reach a final agreement.
PTI March Adds to Political Tensions
The failed talks have come as PTI supporters began a march toward Islamabad.
The protest seeks Imran Khan’s release and has added to tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The march was previously postponed after the government and opposition failed to reach an understanding.
The latest deadlock has also revived concerns over political confrontation between the federal and provincial governments.
PTI has said it remains open to dialogue but insists that meaningful negotiations require consultation with Imran Khan and agreement on key political and security issues.
