Govt, PTI begin talks ahead of October 4 Islamabad march

The government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opened negotiations in Islamabad on Friday as political tensions remained high ahead of the opposition party’s planned October 4 long march.

The talks were held at the office of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to engage the opposition. Representatives from the government, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and PTI attended the meeting.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Ejaz Jakhrani, Talal Chaudhry and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

The PTI negotiating team comprised Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.

Before the formal meeting, government representatives held an internal discussion on the legal and political issues expected to come up during negotiations.

Government leaders urged the opposition to resolve differences through dialogue and called for the October 4 protest to be withdrawn. Talal Chaudhry said political parties should focus on issues affecting ordinary citizens rather than confrontation.

PTI leaders, meanwhile, said they were entering the negotiations without preconditions. Gohar said the party would engage in talks sincerely, while the future of the long march would depend on the government’s response to PTI’s demands.

Opposition seeks broader political consensus

PTI and other opposition representatives also met Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman to discuss the political situation, the proposed All Parties Conference and the planned march.

Hafiz Naeem said his party would participate in the conference and support efforts to develop a national agenda focused on the economy, law and order and peace.

He opposed the imposition of governor’s rule or emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and called for meaningful negotiations between the government and PTI. He also urged authorities to address concerns regarding Imran Khan and release women detained during protests in accordance with legal procedures.

Raja Nasir Abbas said the opposition wanted the All Parties Conference to help find a political solution to the country’s ongoing challenges.

March remains key issue

The negotiations come after weeks of tension between the federal government and the PTI-led K-P administration.

PTI had initially planned its Islamabad march for September 27 but later moved it to October 4. The federal government has discussed possible constitutional and legal measures in response to the political and security situation, while PTI has opposed any move toward governor’s rule or emergency.

Both sides have now agreed to use negotiations as a channel for addressing their differences, but the fate of the October 4 protest remains a central issue in the talks.