Govt, PTI resume talks ahead of October 4 march

The government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) resumed talks on Saturday. The second round of negotiations was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

The talks are being held amid continuing political tensions ahead of PTI’s planned long march towards Islamabad on October 4. The march was earlier scheduled for September 27 but was postponed.

The first round of negotiations was held on Friday. The participants discussed the country’s political situation and exchanged their respective positions. However, the meeting ended without a final agreement.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the previous session was held in a cordial atmosphere. He expressed hope that all sides would maintain the same environment during the ongoing negotiations. He also thanked representatives of the government, PPP and opposition for taking part in the dialogue.

The government delegation includes Federal Ministers Amir Muqam and Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah.

The PPP delegation comprises Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

PTI is represented by Barrister Gohar Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Aamer Dogar, Asad Qaiser, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Salman Akram Raja.

The negotiations are focused on political issues and the ongoing standoff between the federal government and PTI. The proposed October 4 march remains one of the key issues amid the talks.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif raised concerns about security arrangements surrounding the planned protest. He alleged that some individuals and vehicles travelling from Waziristan could pose a security risk.

Asif questioned the presence of non-custom-paid vehicles in the reported convoy. He also asked whether the vehicles were being used to transport weapons or explosives.

The defence minister further questioned who was financing the reported expenses of the convoy, including vehicles, food and other arrangements.

He also warned that any attack on government institutions could lead to confrontation with police and security forces. Asif questioned whether such a situation could later be used to create an anti-state narrative on social media.

The allegations made by the defence minister have not been independently established. The government and opposition continue to engage in talks as the October 4 protest deadline approaches.