First round of PTI-government talks ends; second round set for Saturday 2pm

The first round of talks between the PTI-led opposition and the ruling coalition over the party’s planned Oct 4 long march concluded in Islamabad on Friday, with both sides agreeing to return to the table at 2pm on Saturday.

The meeting, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at the speaker’s chamber, was aimed at defusing the political crisis triggered by PTI’s protest march demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan. The PTI is expected to formally present its demands to the government’s negotiating team on Saturday.

Speaking after the session, Sadiq said he was “only playing the role of a mediator”, adding that his office was “always open” to resolving issues through negotiations. “Parliament is the only forum where solutions to issues can be found,” he said. A National Assembly Secretariat statement said delegations discussed matters in a spirit of restraint.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser Rana Sanaullah and PPP’s Sherry Rehman, while the opposition was led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas. Naqvi briefed both sides on the security and terrorism situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sources cited by Dunya News said PTI demanded Imran Khan’s release, discussed his medical examination and sought the release of his sisters and arrested members of the provincial and national assemblies; the government side demanded that PTI withdraw its Oct 4 march call. The talks paused for 15 minutes for Friday prayers.