Second Round of Talks: Govt Says Islamabad March Will Not Be Allowed

ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will be held today at 3pm in National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber.

The National Assembly Secretariat has also confirmed the meeting.

During the first round, representatives of the government, Pakistan Peoples Party and the opposition discussed the political situation, PTI’s proposed October 4 march and other issues. The participants stressed the need to resolve national matters through dialogue, but no agreement was reached on key issues.

PTI’s negotiating team includes Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.

The government and allied parties’ team includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah, Talal Chaudhry, Amir Muqam, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani.

Parties to Respond to Each Other’s Demands

The second round of talks will focus on the parties’ responses to each other’s demands.

According to sources, PTI had demanded the immediate end of the detention of the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan, an end to restrictions on meetings with him and implementation of the Supreme Court decision regarding his treatment at a private hospital.

The government did not give an immediate positive response to these demands.

Sources said the government has asked PTI to withdraw its October 4 long march unconditionally. The government’s position is that a march towards Islamabad will not be allowed.

Both sides agreed to present their responses during today’s talks after consultation.

The government delegation has also briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the talks and PTI’s demands.

Meanwhile, the opposition delegation met Mahmood Khan Achakzai to discuss the next course of action regarding the negotiations.