TTAP accuses Sherry Rehman of breaching talks code after first round of govt-opposition talks
TTAP accuses Sherry Rehman of breaching talks code after first round of govt-opposition talks
The first round of government-opposition talks in Islamabad ended on Friday with the PTI’s October 4 march still on, and a fresh row over the TTAP talks code after the opposition alliance accused PPP leader Sherry Rehman of violating the confidentiality understanding both sides had reached.
Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) spokesman Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai told Express News that Rehman had breached the agreement to keep the negotiations’ details private. He stressed that the opposition had not agreed to postpone its long march unconditionally.
“We strongly condemn her statement. A senior parliamentarian like her should not have acted irresponsibly,” Yousafzai said.
What the TTAP talks code row is about
According to Yousafzai, the opposition alliance presented its demands to the government delegation during the meeting, while the government side conveyed its own concerns. Both sides then sought time to consult their respective leaderships before the next round.
He declined to share details of what was discussed, saying both sides had agreed the proceedings would not be made public. Yousafzai added that the talks’ details had been shared with opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai in a separate meeting, where the alliance also discussed its future course of action.
Sherry Rehman: march must end, not just pause
Earlier, Rehman told reporters that the PPP’s position was that the PTI would have to end its long march unconditionally. “Not postpone it, not suspend it, not put it on hold — it has to be ended because this is no way,” she said.
She pointed to the worsening security situation, saying the country was battling terrorism. “A critical situation is unfolding in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Our people are being martyred, policemen and soldiers are being martyred,” she said.
Rehman said terrorism remained the PPP’s red line, invoking the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. She added that the party did not organise long marches for an individual in any case.
Asked about the demands exchanged during the talks, Rehman avoided specifics, saying she did not want to discuss them to prevent the trust deficit between the sides from deepening. She said both sides had agreed to give the discussions time and would try to conclude the process by Saturday.
What happens next: second round on Saturday
The two sides are scheduled to meet again at 2pm on Saturday in the National Assembly speaker’s chamber. Friday’s meeting followed Thursday’s decision by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari to form a joint government-PPP delegation for the negotiations.
The government team included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Sherry Rehman. The six-member opposition delegation comprised PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
Notably, TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to attend the talks at the speaker’s chamber, insisting on a neutral venue. The PTI then reconstituted its delegation without him. During Friday’s session, the interior minister briefed the opposition on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PTI had postponed its planned march on Islamabad from September 27 to October 4. Whether Saturday’s round can produce a breakthrough before the march date remains the central question.
Related: Govt, opposition conclude first round of talks ahead of PTI’s Oct 4 march
FAQs
What did TTAP accuse Sherry Rehman of?
TTAP accused the PPP leader of violating the understanding reached between the government and opposition to keep the talks’ details confidential, and said the opposition had not agreed to postpone its long march unconditionally.
When is the second round of talks?
The government and opposition delegations are scheduled to meet again at 2pm on Saturday in the National Assembly speaker’s chamber.
Is the PTI’s October 4 march still on?
Yes. The PTI remains adamant on holding the march towards Islamabad on October 4, and the first round of talks produced no public announcement of any postponement.
