Web Desk: The government and opposition continued negotiations on Saturday as both sides worked to resolve differences ahead of the PTI’s planned Oct. 4 march on Islamabad.
Reports suggesting that the government had agreed to arrange a direct meeting between PTI representatives and the party’s founder, Imran Khan, were rejected by sources, who said no such meeting had been arranged.
The two sides have been discussing their respective demands, with the government pressing the opposition to call off the planned march. PTI, meanwhile, has continued to seek relief for its jailed founder. Earlier reports said the party wanted Imran Khan shifted from jail to a hospital for medical treatment.
According to sources cited in the latest political discussions, the opposition was prepared to make concessions on several issues, with the main concern being that the federal government should not impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The opposition was willing to support the federal government on measures related to countering terrorism and was prepared to cooperate on other issues under discussion.
However, the position as a broad willingness to reach an understanding rather than a formal agreement, and said there was no arrangement for a meeting with Imran Khan.
The second round of negotiations was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, with representatives of the government, Pakistan Peoples Party and opposition taking part. The government delegation included Amir Muqam, Mohsin Naqvi, Talal Chaudhry and Rana Sanaullah, while the PPP was represented by Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani. The opposition team included Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Amir Dogar, Asad Qaiser, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Salman Akram Raja.
The talks followed a first round in which both sides exchanged their positions. The government called for the Oct. 4 protest to be cancelled, while the opposition maintained that the march would continue unless an agreement was reached.
The negotiations have also been accompanied by disagreements over statements and social media posts by political leaders. PTI leaders have warned against the imposition of governor’s rule or emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the federal government has cited security concerns surrounding the planned march.
For now, the talks remain focused on reaching a political understanding, while reports of a government-approved meeting with Imran Khan remain unconfirmed. No formal announcement has indicated that such a meeting has been scheduled.
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