Govt, PTI begin second round of talks amid march deadline

Delegations from the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed opposition began a second round of talks at the National Assembly speaker’s chamber on Saturday, with the party’s planned October 4 march to Islamabad among the key issues under discussion.

The talks were scheduled for 3pm after the meeting time was changed from 2pm earlier in the day.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah are attending the talks from the government side.

The Pakistan Peoples Party’s Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani are also part of the government-allied delegation.

The opposition delegation includes PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Aamir Dogar, among others.

Ahead of the talks, Gohar and Qaiser met an important government figure, according to sources. The meeting focused on the opposition’s demands and possible government responses, the sources said.

The opposition also held a meeting in Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s chamber before the talks.

Gohar, Qaiser, Raja Nasir Abbas and Salman Akram Raja attended the meeting, where the participants discussed the ongoing negotiations.

Sources said the opposition had finalised standard operating procedures for the talks.

It would propose that neither side speak to the media during the meeting and that a joint statement be issued afterwards to avoid misunderstandings.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at Parliament House, Gohar said the delay was due to “important matters” and expressed hope that the second round would be productive.

“We are going to the talks now and today’s round is very important,” he said.

Gohar expressed disappointment over what he described as irresponsible statements by some members during the talks. He declined to comment on his meeting with the government figure.

The PTI chairman said his party was participating in the negotiations in good faith but questioned reports about extreme measures to stop its planned march.

“I am surprised by talk of such extreme measures to stop the long march. This should not happen in a democracy,” he said.

The first round of talks was held at the speaker’s chamber on Friday and continued for several hours. Both sides presented their respective demands and positions and agreed to resume discussions on Saturday.

The negotiations come a day before the PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad. The party had initially announced the march for September 27 but later moved it to October 4.

PTI-backed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reiterated on Saturday that the party would proceed with the march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat towards Islamabad on October 4.

Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticised CM Afridi’s statement, saying it was inappropriate for a chief minister. He said the government wanted the negotiations to be meaningful and productive, but statements from Afridi could affect the process.

Chaudhry urged the PTI to avoid such statements until the negotiations reached their final stage.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said democratic means were the better way to resolve political issues.

“This is a time to resolve issues rather than complicate them,” she told reporters at Parliament House, adding that it was better not to comment on the negotiations while the process was under way.

Federal Minister Amir Muqam also urged optimism, saying all matters would be discussed at the negotiating table.

PTI leader Raja said it had been agreed that discussions held during the talks would remain confidential.

He said some people had acted irresponsibly by presenting one-sided narratives before the media.

Raja also said the PTI believed it should be given access to its founder, Imran Khan, adding that such access could help improve the country’s political environment.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for more than an hour ahead of the second round. Naqvi briefed the premier on the negotiations with the opposition, while the political situation in the country was also discussed.

The PTI’s political and core committees also met on Saturday to discuss the negotiations and the planned October 4 march.

Gohar briefed participants on the talks, while a majority of members supported continuing the negotiations, according to sources.

Sources said a proposal was also discussed to move the date of the march if there was positive progress in the talks. Options to postpone or cancel the march were also considered.

The opposition alliance also reaffirmed a proposal for Achakzai and Senate opposition leader Abbas to meet PTI founder Imran Khan.