Backchannel talks fail to resolve PTI march deadlock

More than half a dozen backchannel meetings between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives and authorities over the past four to five weeks have failed to resolve differences over the party’s planned march towards Islamabad, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The contacts were aimed at finding a political way out of the growing confrontation and preventing a large mobilisation from turning into a fresh security crisis. However, the main disagreement remained over whether PTI would completely call off the march or simply postpone it.

According to the sources, the government and security authorities conveyed that political space could be created for PTI on certain issues. They also indicated that political engagement could continue. However, they made it clear that agitation involving violence, road blockades and a march towards the capital would not be acceptable.

The authorities were particularly concerned that thousands of PTI supporters could travel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad. Sources said that even a relatively smaller gathering could create serious problems if an incident occurred along the route or near the capital.

The government had already taken extensive security measures ahead of the originally announced September 27 mobilisation. Authorities have also publicly opposed any activity that could disrupt traffic or restrict routine movement.

The sources said Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai was also contacted during the efforts to find a solution. According to the account, Achakzai indicated that PTI could consider calling off the march if arrangements were made for him to meet PTI founder Imran Khan in jail.

The proposal, however, did not receive acceptance. The response conveyed to the PTI side was that the march should first be called off. After that, issues involving meetings with Imran Khan, access to lawyers and his medical treatment could be considered within the applicable legal and administrative framework.

The backchannel contacts continued, but no agreement was reached on the crucial question of withdrawing the mobilisation.

The situation became more difficult after several statements from PTI leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources said some of the remarks were viewed by authorities as confrontational and contributed to a tougher official position.

PTI was subsequently conveyed a clear warning that any attempt to proceed with the march would face a firm response, according to the sources.

The party then considered other possible ways of managing the mobilisation. One option discussed was to slow the movement and bring supporters towards Islamabad gradually instead of organising one large march.

That proposal also failed to address the concerns of the authorities. Their position, according to the sources, remained that there should be no march towards Islamabad and no gathering that could develop into a prolonged blockade or confrontation.

Another issue discussed during the contacts was the political timeline. Sources said PTI was informed that if it proceeded with the march, subsequent developments might not follow the timetable sought by the party.

Instead, the timeline could be determined by the government and security authorities, according to the sources.

The backchannel discussions did not include any commitment to release Imran Khan. The areas of possible facilitation discussed during the contacts were instead related to matters such as access to lawyers, meetings with Khan and arrangements for his medical treatment.

Despite several rounds of discussions, the two sides remained unable to bridge the gap over the march. The question of whether PTI would fully call off the mobilisation continued to be the central hurdle in the efforts to reduce tensions.