Government, PTI Hold Second Round of Talks Ahead of October 4 Long March

Government, PTI Hold Second Round of Talks Ahead of October 4 Long March

The government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sat down for a second round of govt-PTI talks in Islamabad on Saturday, making a fresh attempt to defuse political tensions a day before the opposition party’s planned long march on the federal capital. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting at Parliament House.

The talks follow a first round held on Friday in the NA speaker’s chamber, which ended after about an hour without a decision. Both sides had described that sitting as constructive, and agreed to meet again on Saturday.

Second round of govt-PTI talks: what we know

On Saturday the two sides returned to the table with the October 4 march hours away, with Sadiq pressing both to keep the conversation going.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said his party had attended without preconditions, presented its demands clearly and hoped matters would move in a positive direction.

The government’s team, meanwhile, has been pressing the PTI to postpone or call off the march. Sources say the government assured the opposition that a court order concerning party founder Imran Khan would be implemented.

Who is at the table

The six-member opposition delegation includes Gohar, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh. The PTI reconstituted its team after Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to attend, insisting on a neutral venue.

The government side includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the prime minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and PPP leader Sherry Rehman.

The sticking points

The PTI’s core demands remain unchanged: the release of Imran Khan and other detained party leaders and workers, and permission for party leaders to meet the jailed former prime minister at Adiala jail.

“First of all, we believe we should be allowed to meet our leader,” Asad Qaiser said, adding that the issue of Khan’s sisters would also come up in the talks. Salman Akram Raja said progress would depend on whether such a meeting took place: “We want the release of the PTI founder and justice.”

Sanaullah, for his part, has urged the opposition to withdraw the march call, arguing that long marches and disorder solve nothing. “Matters that are before the courts have to be decided by the courts,” he said. He also revealed that Khan had been shifted to a hospital, where a panel of senior doctors examined him, and said the government would comply with any further court directions.

The march goes ahead, for now

Despite the dialogue, PTI is pressing on. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced the march will begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4, stopping at Karak and Kohat before reaching Matni, near Peshawar, on the night of October 6.

“Our long march will definitely take place,” Gohar said, adding that the talks had begun at the government’s request and that negotiations and the march would continue side by side. Afridi has vowed the protest will remain peaceful.

The party had postponed the march from September 27 to October 4, saying it seeks Imran Khan’s release and what it calls the restoration of constitutional supremacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the PTI long march starting?

The march is scheduled to begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4, led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, with the convoy expected to head towards Islamabad on October 7.

What does the PTI want from the talks?

The party is demanding the release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders and workers, permission for its leaders to meet Khan at Adiala jail, and implementation of a court order regarding his medical treatment.

Who is chairing the negotiations?

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is facilitating the talks between the government and opposition delegations at Parliament House.

What happened in the first round of talks?

The first round was held on Friday at the NA speaker’s chamber and lasted about an hour. It ended without a decision, though both sides called the atmosphere cordial and agreed to meet again on Saturday.