ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Pakistan’s government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began talks on Friday amid political tensions over the party’s planned march to Islamabad on October 4.
The negotiations were held at the chamber of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, with the government seeking dialogue to ease the standoff and prevent further escalation.
The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and other ruling coalition representatives.
The opposition side was represented by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
The PTI has planned the October 4 march in support of its political demands, including the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The march was earlier scheduled for September 27 but was postponed to October 4.
The government has called for political dialogue and has expressed hope that the opposition will reconsider the planned march. The talks come after weeks of tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration.
PTI leaders have indicated that the outcome of the negotiations could influence their next course of action, while maintaining that they are prepared to proceed with the march if their concerns are not addressed.
The negotiations are being closely watched as authorities have already tightened security in Islamabad and along routes leading to the capital ahead of the planned protest.
