Bilawal backs talks, urges end to long march

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has welcomed the government’s decision to hold talks with the opposition, saying political issues should be resolved through dialogue.

In a statement on Friday, Bilawal said he hoped the negotiations would result in the opposition calling off its planned long march unconditionally. He also urged political forces to unite against the growing threat of terrorism.

Bilawal said the government had accepted the PPP’s proposal to engage with the opposition to find political solutions to political disputes. He described the terrorism challenge as an existential threat to Pakistan, particularly amid what he described as support for militant groups from neighbouring countries.

“I hope these talks conclude with the opposition unconditionally calling off its long march,” Bilawal said, adding that this would allow the country to focus collectively on combating terrorism and addressing security threats.

He reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to fighting terrorism through constitutional means.

The remarks came after the first round of government-opposition negotiations concluded on Friday. The two sides agreed to meet again at 2pm on Saturday at the National Assembly speaker’s chamber.

The talks follow weeks of political tensions surrounding the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and the party’s planned march on Islamabad. The protest was initially scheduled for September 27 but was later postponed to October 4.

The federal government has raised concerns over the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and discussed possible constitutional measures. PTI leaders have rejected such intervention and called for political dialogue.

The opposition has maintained that negotiations should take place without preconditions, while the government and PPP have called for the planned march to be called off.