PTI-GOVT talk fail to break deadlock over Islamabad march

The sources said the central issue in the talks was whether PTI would postpone the planned mobilisation or withdraw the march altogether.

ISLAMABAD: More than half a dozen backchannel contacts between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and government officials over the past four to five weeks have failed to resolve differences over the party’s proposed march towards Islamabad, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The sources said the central issue in the talks was whether PTI would postpone the planned mobilisation or withdraw the march altogether. Government and security officials reportedly conveyed that political space could be available for the party, but protests involving violence, road blockades and large-scale marches would not be acceptable.

According to the sources, the contacts were aimed at exploring a possible arrangement that could reduce tensions and create room for political communication. However, disagreement over the fate of the march remained the main hurdle, with officials insisting that merely changing its date would not address security concerns linked to the mobilisation of people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards the federal capital.

The sources said authorities were particularly concerned about the possibility of large gatherings along the route to Islamabad and the risk that even a relatively small incident could escalate tensions and undermine the political space created through the backchannel contacts.

They added that the government had maintained a firm position against road closures and disruption of routine life, while heightened security arrangements had been put in place ahead of the march’s original September 27 date.

The sources further claimed that Mahmood Khan Achakzai was also contacted over the possibility of cancelling the march. According to the account shared with the correspondent, Achakzai indicated that cancellation might be possible if arrangements were made for him to meet PTI founder Imran Khan in jail. The proposal, however, was reportedly not accepted, with the response that PTI would first have to cancel the march, after which matters concerning meetings with Khan, access to lawyers and medical treatment could be facilitated under the applicable procedure.

Meanwhile, tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reportedly increased following several statements by PTI leaders that government and security officials viewed as confrontational. Sources said the situation prompted authorities to reiterate that any march towards Islamabad would be dealt with firmly.

Alternative approaches, including slowing the mobilisation or bringing participants towards Islamabad in smaller groups, were also reportedly discussed but failed to bridge the differences. The sources said the government’s position remained that there should be no march towards the capital that could lead to prolonged blockades or confrontation.

Another issue discussed during the backchannel contacts was the political timeline that could follow the march. According to the sources, PTI was informed that if it proceeded with the mobilisation, subsequent political developments might not follow the timeline preferred by the party and could instead proceed according to a schedule determined by the authorities.

The sources stressed that no commitment regarding Imran Khan’s release was made during the contacts. They said the possible areas of facilitation discussed were limited to matters such as access to lawyers, meetings with Khan and medical treatment, subject to the relevant procedures.