The government and PTI have resumed negotiations in Islamabad, but differences remain over the opposition party’s planned October 4 march.
WEB DESK: The federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resumed negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday as both sides continued efforts to resolve differences over the party’s planned march towards the capital on October 4.
The second round of talks followed an initial meeting between government and opposition representatives on Friday, with the National Assembly Speaker’s chambers serving as the venue.
The negotiations are taking place amid heightened political tensions, with the planned march remaining a central point of disagreement.
Second round of talks begins
The second round was delayed earlier in the day before eventually getting underway on Saturday afternoon.
Dawn reported that government and PTI delegations gathered for the talks and discussed several issues, including the proposed October 4 march. The opposition also finalised procedures ahead of the meeting, including a proposal that neither side speak to the media during negotiations and that a joint statement be issued afterwards.
The first round on Friday was described by the National Assembly Secretariat as constructive and cordial, although neither side announced a breakthrough.
March remains key point of disagreement
The government has been seeking cancellation of the planned march, while PTI has linked the future of the mobilisation to the outcome of negotiations.
Dawn reported that PTI’s demands included shifting jailed party founder Imran Khan to a hospital for medical treatment, while the government wanted the October 4 protest called off.
PTI leaders have maintained that the march remains on unless an agreement is reached.
The differences have kept the negotiations under pressure, with the planned mobilisation only a day away.
Government and PTI positions
The government has said dialogue is preferable to further escalation and has engaged the opposition through a negotiating committee.
A meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on October 1 resulted in a decision to engage PTI representatives in talks over the political situation. The delegation included federal and Pakistan Peoples Party representatives.
The government had also discussed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and possible constitutional options, although dialogue was pursued before any such measure was taken.
PTI, meanwhile, agreed to formal negotiations after meetings of its political and core committees. Party representatives said the talks were intended to address the political situation and issues concerning Imran Khan.
Pressure rises ahead of October 4
The negotiations come as authorities prepare for the possibility of PTI supporters moving towards Islamabad.
Dawn reported that Islamabad authorities had sought an extension of the deployment of 3,000 Pakistan Rangers personnel in the capital from October 5 to October 15 amid preparations linked to the planned march.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders have continued preparations for the mobilisation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with different groups expected to converge before moving towards Islamabad.
Political dialogue continues
The second round of negotiations is being closely watched because of the limited time remaining before the date set for the PTI march.
The two sides have so far exchanged positions but have not publicly announced an agreement on the central dispute over the mobilisation.
Any outcome will depend on whether the government and PTI can reach an understanding on the march and other demands before the planned October 4 mobilisation.
