Government rules out Islamabad march as second round of PTI talks ends without agreement

The government has formally asked the opposition to unconditionally withdraw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned October 4 long march on Islamabad, after a second round of negotiations in National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber ended on Saturday without a breakthrough.

According to Samaa TV, the government’s negotiating team made it clear that permission for a march on Islamabad would not be granted under any circumstances, and said issuing threats — including references to attacking Adiala jail — was inappropriate. The delegation urged the opposition to demonstrate flexibility, and assured it that court verdicts would be implemented.

The round also saw a heated exchange between Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas over judicial matters. Abbas expressed disappointment over what he called the failure to fully implement court verdicts and questioned the ban on meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan; Sanaullah responded that the courts were performing their duties. Speaker Sadiq intervened and urged both sides to show restraint and pursue mutual understanding. Sources said the government maintained there would be no discussion on Imran Khan’s release.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam, along with PPP representatives Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani. The opposition team comprised PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Asad Qaiser. After the exchange of proposals, both sides broke for separate consultations — the government team in the conference room and the opposition in the Speaker’s Chamber — to brief their leaderships.

Separately, Aaj English TV reported that a meeting of PTI’s political and core committees, briefed by Gohar on the negotiations, saw a majority back the continuation of talks. Participants suggested the October 4 march date could be pushed back if the talks showed positive progress, rather than the protest being cancelled outright. PTI had earlier told a Jamaat-e-Islami delegation it was prepared to postpone the march if the government accepted its demands.

PTI has linked the future of the march to the outcome of negotiations. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said the march will depart from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4, while the government has said a march towards the capital will not be allowed.

Sources

• Samaa TV: Govt, PTI talks begin ahead of Oct 4 long march
• Aaj English TV: PTI backs continued talks with govt, considers shifting march
• Dawn: First round of talks between govt, opposition end as PTI’s Oct 4 protest looms over Islamabad
• Business Recorder: PTI, govt, PPP meet again today after first round failure
• Hum English: Govt, PTI to resume talks today amid tensions over Oct 4 march