ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is set to meet National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq at Parliament House on Wednesday, with the possible resumption of talks between the opposition party and the government expected to figure prominently in discussions.
According to sources, the meeting will take place in the Speaker’s chamber, where Gohar is expected to raise concerns over the recent arrests of PTI parliamentarians and discuss the broader political situation.
The PTI chairman is also expected to seek the Speaker’s cooperation in facilitating renewed dialogue between his party and the government
The meeting comes amid heightened political tensions as PTI prepares for its planned October 4 protest march towards Islamabad. Gohar said on Tuesday that the protest call remained in place and had been postponed to October 4 following a decision by the party’s political committee.
The possibility of talks has gained attention as the government and PTI remain at odds over the planned mobilisation, arrests of party workers and lawmakers, and political developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has described discussion about imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as premature. He said it would be inappropriate for him as a federal minister to comment on speculation before any decision had been taken.
Tarar, however, strongly criticised the PTI-led provincial government’s handling of security, alleging that it had failed to maintain law and order. He also accused the provincial administration of failing to strengthen police capacity. These are government allegations; PTI has rejected criticism of its provincial mandate and has opposed suggestions of governor’s rule or an emergency.
Gohar has questioned the constitutional basis for such a move and said PTI would oppose any attempt to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in the province.
Tarar also said the government would take measures to protect Islamabad and would not permit actions that threatened public safety or disrupted peace in the federal capital.
Against this backdrop, Wednesday’s Gohar-Sadiq meeting could provide an indication of whether political dialogue between PTI and the government can resume ahead of the planned October 4 mobilisation.
