Can govt-PTI talks stop the Oct 4 march?

ISLAMABAD: The government and opposition held a second round of talks on Saturday. The meeting focused on political tensions and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned march towards Islamabad on October 4.

The talks were held at Parliament House. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting. The session continued for more than four hours.

Both sides agreed to avoid speaking to the media during the negotiations. They also discussed issuing a joint statement after the meeting. However, the final outcome of the talks was not immediately announced.

The PTI’s planned march remained the main issue. The party has announced the protest to demand the release of its founder Imran Khan. It has also called for constitutional supremacy and an independent judiciary.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry also attended the talks.

The Pakistan Peoples Party was represented by Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

The opposition delegation included PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Amir Dogar, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja and Haleem Adil Sheikh.

The negotiations took place a day after the first formal meeting between the government and PTI representatives in almost three years. Both sides had shared their positions during that meeting.

The latest talks came amid continued uncertainty over the October 4 march. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has repeatedly said that the protest will go ahead.

Afridi said the march would begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1pm on October 4. He said the PTI would continue its struggle for constitutional and legal supremacy.

The KP chief minister also said the party would not allow a repeat of the events of May 9, 2023. He described peaceful protest as a constitutional right.

Government representatives have urged PTI leaders to avoid statements that could affect the negotiations. Tallal Chaudhry said some remarks by Afridi could create difficulties for the dialogue.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said her party was trying to help resolve the dispute through democratic means. She said the purpose of negotiations was to discuss differences between the two sides.

Before the government meeting, opposition representatives also held their own session. They discussed the government’s concerns about the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The opposition also agreed on rules for communication during the talks. It proposed that representatives from both sides should avoid separate media statements. A joint statement was suggested to prevent confusion and conflicting accounts.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also called for a political solution. He urged the PTI to withdraw its planned march and said political issues should be resolved through dialogue.

The government has maintained that it wants the march to be called off. Sources familiar with the discussions said the PTI has also raised the issue of medical treatment for Imran Khan.

The government and PTI remain divided over their key positions. The PTI wants progress on the release and treatment of its founder. The government wants the planned protest in Islamabad to be cancelled.

Federal ministers have also warned of possible administrative action in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the situation escalates. The government has discussed options including stronger measures in the province.

However, the authorities have continued to give negotiations a chance. The latest talks were aimed at finding a political solution before the October 4 deadline.

With the march date approaching, attention is now focused on whether the two sides can reach an understanding. The official outcome of Saturday’s meeting is expected to clarify the next course of action.