PTI march begins as govt warns against Islamabad entry

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has begun preparations for its long march towards Islamabad after negotiations with the federal government failed to produce an agreement.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has made it clear that the march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad. He warned that any attempt to create disorder would be dealt with according to the law.

The warning came after two rounds of talks between the government and PTI ended without a breakthrough. The main dispute reportedly centred on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s proposed role in counterterrorism efforts.

Sanaullah said the federal government had revised the draft agreement several times, but differences remained because the KP government was unwilling to provide the required assurances on security cooperation.

He described counterterrorism cooperation as a constitutional and legal responsibility of the provincial government and said the issue could not be compromised.

The adviser said discussions had also taken place over PTI founder Imran Khan’s meetings and medical treatment. However, he described these matters as less significant and said they would continue to be handled under jail regulations and the law.

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the first phase of the PTI march would start from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are expected to join the convoy.

The marchers are scheduled to move towards Karak before continuing through Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda. PTI supporters from across KP are expected to converge at Khairabad on October 8, where the party plans to announce its next course of action.

Sanaullah said the federal government remained open to talks if the PTI and KP administration agreed to cooperate on counterterrorism. However, he said no date had been fixed for another round of negotiations.

The talks had appeared close to success, with officials earlier claiming that around 95 per cent of the issues had been resolved. The remaining disagreements, however, proved difficult to overcome.

The government had been seeking to prevent the October 4 march, while PTI had indicated that it could reconsider the protest if meaningful progress was achieved through negotiations.

The latest deadlock has now brought the political standoff into a new phase, with PTI proceeding with its march and the federal government warning that Islamabad entry will not be permitted.