Government, PTI Begin Talks Ahead of October 4 Long March

ISLAMABAD: The first round of negotiations between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was completed on Friday at the National Assembly Speaker’s Chamber, ahead of the party’s planned long march towards Islamabad on October 4.

The six-member PTI delegation included 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 included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Sherry Rehman and others.

During the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the opposition delegation on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources said.

According to sources, the briefing covered the growing terrorism in the province and the reasons behind recent incidents.

Sources said the government also made its position clear on the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, stating that the issue would not be part of the negotiations.

Barrister Gohar said after the meeting that the opposition had come to the talks with an open heart. Rana Sanaullah said, “We also want the talks to succeed; it takes two hands to clap.”

The PTI reconstituted its delegation for the meeting after Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to attend the talks at the NA speaker’s chamber, saying he would participate if the negotiations were held at a neutral location.

Sources said the PTI leadership rejected Achakzai’s demand and formed a new delegation for the talks.

Barrister Gohar had earlier said that the PTI’s political and core committees had approved the names of the opposition delegation.

The development came a day after Gohar said the PTI had accepted the government’s offer for talks ahead of its planned long march on October 4.

The PTI had earlier postponed its long march from September 27 to October 4. The party says the protest is aimed at securing the release of its jailed founding chairman Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.

‘Long marches not a solution’

Speaking to the media at Parliament House in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah had urged the PTI to withdraw its long march call while talks between the government and opposition were underway.

Sanaullah said long marches and disorder could not resolve political issues. “Matters that are before the courts have to be decided by the courts.”

He said issues that could be resolved through negotiations should be discussed at the negotiating table, while also questioning the opposition’s concerns over the venue for the talks.

“You can sit by the roadside under a tree and talk, but you cannot meet at the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said.

Sanaullah said such statements could affect political tolerance and communication between political parties.

Regarding matters pending before the courts, he said the courts themselves enforce their orders.

Sanaullah also said PTI founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Adiala jail, had been shifted to a hospital for examination by a panel of senior doctors.

He said the purpose of the transfer was to conduct Khan’s medical check-up and that he had been moved to another hospital, even if it was not a private facility.

He added that if the court issued clear directions, the government would be bound to comply with them.