ISLAMABAD (MNN); The second round of negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended in a deadlock early Sunday after more than eight hours of talks, with the two sides unable to reach an agreement over the party’s planned October 4 march and a proposed meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan.
The negotiations, held at the chambers of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, continued until after 2am. PTI leader Asad Qaiser confirmed that the deadlock persisted, saying his delegation had conveyed its concerns over access to Imran Khan, the release of women members of the party and other demands.
Qaiser said meeting Imran Khan was the PTI’s primary demand and that the party wanted the meeting to take place before proceeding further with negotiations.
“We want meaningful negotiations and matters to be resolved peacefully,” Qaiser said, reiterating that PTI wanted peace and an end to terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas also confirmed the deadlock, saying differences remained over what he described as relatively minor issues, while the matter of meeting Imran Khan remained unresolved.
According to reports, the government wanted the opposition to withdraw the October 4 march before agreeing to a meeting with Imran Khan, while the opposition maintained that cancellation of the march could only be considered after its representatives met the PTI founder.
Achakzai refuses to withdraw march
Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai also maintained that the October 4 march would not be called off until a meeting with Imran Khan took place.
Achakzai said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi should be allowed to meet the PTI founder. He added that the decision regarding the march could subsequently be taken in consultation with Imran Khan and that any joint decision would be respected.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi posted the schedule for the proposed long march from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on social media shortly after midnight.
Speaker urges continuation of dialogue
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the negotiations had been conducted in a cordial atmosphere and expressed hope that all sides would continue the dialogue in the same spirit.
He thanked representatives of the government, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and opposition for participating in the negotiations.
The government side included Federal Ministers Amir Muqam and Syed Mushtaq Raza Naqvi, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, while the PPP delegation included Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani.
The opposition delegation comprised Barrister Gohar Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Amir Dogar, Asad Qaiser, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Salman Akram Raja.
The first round of talks on Friday had also ended without a conclusive agreement, although both sides agreed to continue negotiations on Saturday.
PTI says negotiations remain the way forward
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai earlier welcomed the continuation of talks, saying a successful dialogue should be viewed as a victory for Pakistan rather than for any individual political side.
He urged the federal government to support the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government in combating terrorism and improving security in the province.
Yousafzai also opposed the possible imposition of Governor’s Rule, saying it could cause serious damage, and called for adequate political space for PTI.
Defence minister raises security concerns
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged that PTI and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government could be facilitating unrest ahead of the planned march.
He questioned the presence of vehicles from Waziristan in the protest preparations and alleged that young people were being mobilised to create disorder around police and security installations.
Asif also questioned whether such vehicles could be carrying weapons or explosives, and alleged that money was being spent on the protesters’ transportation and other expenses.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser rejected the tone of the defence minister’s remarks, calling them inappropriate, but said his party remained committed to resolving the political impasse through negotiations.
The government and PTI talks are taking place amid heightened tensions over the October 4 march. PTI had originally planned the protest for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4. The government has warned of possible constitutional measures in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including Governor’s Rule or emergency, citing security concerns, while PTI has opposed such measures.
