Govt-PPP Team to Meet PTI Today as October 4 March Nears
ISLAMABAD: The Shehbaz Zardari PTI talks begin today, as a joint delegation of the federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party sits down with PTI leaders at noon in the office of the National Assembly speaker, after the PTI formally accepted the government’s offer for talks ahead of its planned October 4 march on Islamabad.
The decision to open a direct channel with the PTI came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari at the President House on Thursday, where the country’s overall political and security situation was discussed. The meeting also expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power.
Who sits on each side
The joint delegation tasked with negotiating with the PTI brings together Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the prime minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam from the federal government.
The PPP will be represented by Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani.
The development comes hours after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said his party had accepted the government’s offer. Gohar said the government’s message had been received on Wednesday and accepted in light of decisions taken during an opposition leaders’ meeting earlier in the day.
Gohar confirmed that representatives of the government and the opposition would meet at noon on Friday in the National Assembly speaker’s office.
Why the Shehbaz Zardari PTI talks matter now
The PTI had earlier postponed its planned long march towards Islamabad from September 27 to October 4. The party says the protest is aimed at seeking the release of its jailed founding chairman, Imran Khan, and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Gohar had earlier said the PTI’s doors remained open for negotiations and that the party would welcome a government delegation for talks. He also said the focus should remain on preventing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and maintained that the PTI had consistently opposed politicising the issue.
The outreach caps a day of hectic consultations on Thursday, during which the prime minister gathered allies as the Centre openly weighed tougher constitutional options in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the much-discussed possibility of governor’s rule in the province.
Gohar warned that imposing governor’s rule would worsen the situation, increase tensions and create further divisions. “I tell everyone, for God’s sake, come to their senses and avoid such measures,” he said.
He also maintained that the announcement regarding the long march was final, while the opposition continued consultations over preparations for the planned march and its political strategy.
Frequently asked questions
When and where will the talks take place?
The joint government-PPP delegation will meet PTI representatives at noon on Friday, October 2, in the office of the National Assembly speaker.
Who is on the government-PPP team?
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam represent the federal government, while Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani represent the PPP.
Why did the PTI agree to talks?
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the government’s message, received on Wednesday, was accepted after an opposition leaders’ meeting. He said the party’s doors remain open for negotiations ahead of the October 4 march.
What does the PTI want?
The party says its October 4 protest aims at securing the release of Imran Khan and the restoration of what it calls constitutional supremacy. Gohar has also warned against imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
