ISLAMABAD: The political temperature in Pakistan went up another notch on Friday as the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) finally sat across the table for negotiations, just days before the opposition party’s planned October 4 march on Islamabad.

The talks took place at the office of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq after weeks of rising tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The march had been set for September 27 but was postponed until October 4. The political stalemate, however, has remained.

The government’s negotiating team, comprising senior representatives of the PML-N and PPP, had a brief meeting before the talks with PTI. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister's Adviser Amir Muqam and PPP Senator Sherry Rehman represented the government.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheik represented PTI.

The PTI and other opposition leaders also held a meeting with the Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman ahead of the talks to develop a wider political consensus. Hafiz Naeem supported dialog, ruled out governor’s rule or emergency in K-P and called for implementation of Supreme Court decisions, release of women arrested during protests and removal of obstacles to bail for PTI leaders.

Opposition would enter negotiations “with complete sincerity” and without preconditions, but the government’s response would affect decisions on the October 4 march, opposition lawyer Gohar said.

On the government side, officials urged the opposition to opt for dialog instead of confrontation. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said government doors were still open, while State Minister Talal Chaudhry asked political parties to focus on public issues.

The dialog comes as the federal government warns of possible constitutional steps in K-P, including governor’s rule or emergency, due to security concerns. PTI has firmly opposed such steps and insisted that the protest on October 4 will be peaceful.

With both sides now at the negotiating table, the key question is whether dialogue can ease tensions before October 4—or whether the planned Islamabad march will go ahead.

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)