Government and opposition talks turn tense over long march

Government and pposition talks turn tense over long march

ISLAMABAD: The first round of talks between the government and opposition remained tense at several points, with the two sides engaging in heated exchanges over political differences and the proposed long march.

The negotiations were held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The government delegation included Talal Chaudhry, Mohsin Naqvi, Sherry Rehman, Rana Sanaullah and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. The opposition team comprised Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser, Aamir Dogar and Salman Akram Raja.

According to sources, the government delegation made it clear that it would not allow any attempt to march on Islamabad. The government formally asked the opposition to postpone or cancel its planned long march, while also assuring the opposition that court decisions would be implemented.

Government representatives also objected to threats of a long march and remarks about attacking Adiala Jail, saying such statements could further increase tensions. They stressed that flexibility during the negotiations could not come from the government alone and that the opposition would also have to demonstrate flexibility.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urged both sides to avoid confrontation and move forward through dialogue and mutual understanding.

During the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly raised concerns about the law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He linked recent attacks by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the deteriorating security situation to what he described as shortcomings of the provincial government and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas rejected the government’s position, saying the opposition had come to the talks to discuss political issues rather than terrorism. He questioned why the negotiations were being linked to the security situation and asked who would be held responsible for the arrests of members of the assemblies.

Nasir Abbas also maintained that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders could not make major decisions without consulting their party leadership. He questioned why PTI leaders were expected to reach decisions without meeting the party’s founding chairman.

He argued that meaningful progress would only be possible after Mahmood Khan Achakzai met the PTI founder and discussed the political situation with him.

In response, Sherry Rehman questioned whether there was any guarantee that a meeting with the PTI founder would resolve the outstanding issues.

Nasir Abbas replied that he was prepared to take responsibility for the outcome, saying he believed that a meeting with the PTI founder could help improve the situation.

The talks are expected to continue as both sides seek common ground on the political issues that have contributed to the ongoing tensions.