PTI talks hit deadlock over three key issues

PTI talks hit deadlock over three key issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh has said negotiations between the government and the opposition have reached a deadlock over three key issues, stressing that the party cannot call off its long march without meeting PTI founder Imran Khan.

Speaking after the talks, Sheikh said access to Imran Khan remained the opposition’s primary demand, but the government had failed to accept it. He maintained that a meeting with the PTI founder was essential before the party could consider any change to its protest strategy.

Sheikh also raised concerns over Imran Khan’s health and medical treatment, saying the two sides could not reach an understanding on the issue. The PTI leader said the opposition wanted proper attention to Khan’s medical needs and an opportunity for his representatives to discuss his treatment.

The third major point of disagreement, according to Sheikh, relates to the strategy for dealing with terrorism. He called for the federal and provincial governments to work together and formulate a joint policy after broad consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

He criticised the government for attempting to make decisions in haste instead of holding comprehensive consultations on matters affecting the country’s security and political stability.

Sheikh said the PTI had entered the negotiations with the intention of finding a political solution, but the unresolved issues had prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement.

The talks between the government and opposition were held ahead of the PTI’s planned October 4 long march towards Islamabad. Sheikh was part of the six-member opposition delegation that participated in the negotiations. The delegation also included PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Amir Dogar and Salman Akram Raja.

The government and opposition held multiple rounds of talks in an effort to prevent the political confrontation from escalating, but the discussions ended without a breakthrough. Reports indicate that access to Imran Khan and differences over counterterrorism policy remained among the key unresolved matters.

Sheikh’s remarks indicate that the PTI leadership is linking any decision on the long march to progress on its demands, particularly a meeting with Imran Khan.