ISLAMABAD: Negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began on Friday at the National Assembly Speaker’s chamber, days before the Imran Khan-founded party’s planned long march towards Islamabad on October 4.
The six-member opposition delegation comprises PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
The government delegation includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and other representatives.
During the meeting, Naqvi briefed participants on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI Reconstitutes Delegation
PTI reconstituted its delegation after Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai declined to attend the meeting at the NA Speaker’s chamber.
According to sources, Achakzai said he would participate if the negotiations were held at a neutral venue. PTI leadership, however, did not accept the demand and subsequently formed a new delegation for the talks.
Barrister Gohar had earlier said PTI’s political and core committees had approved the names of the six-member opposition delegation.
The talks follow PTI’s acceptance of the government’s dialogue offer ahead of the October 4 march. Gohar said the government’s message regarding the meeting was received on Wednesday and accepted following consultations among opposition leaders.
PTI had earlier postponed its planned march from September 27 to October 4. The party says the protest is intended to seek the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
‘Long Marches Not a Solution’
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House before the meeting, Rana Sanaullah urged PTI to withdraw its long march call and pursue its concerns through dialogue.
“Long marches and disorder are not a solution to any problem,” Sanaullah said, adding that matters pending before courts would have to be decided through the judicial process.
He said political issues that could be resolved through negotiations should be discussed at the table and questioned objections regarding the venue of the talks.
“You can sit by the roadside under a tree and talk, but you cannot meet at the Prime Minister’s Office,” he remarked, arguing that such positions could undermine political communication and tolerance.
Referring to Imran Khan, Sanaullah said the incarcerated former prime minister had been shifted to a hospital and examined by a panel of senior doctors.
He added that the government would comply with any further clear directions issued by the courts regarding the matter.
