PESHAWAR: The next round of negotiations between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will be held today, with final decisions expected.
According to details, the talks are scheduled for 2:30 PM today. The first round of negotiations held on Friday ended without any agreement.
Sources said the government’s demand is to end the long march, while PTI is insisting on arranging a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan.
According to sources, the government has made it clear that concessions will not be given through protest and chaos. If PTI wants any concession, it will have to show seriousness in dialogue.
The government delegation warned that if the opposition’s stubbornness continues, Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution will be invoked, which deal with proclamation of emergency and Governor’s Rule.
The government has also taken a firm stance that there will be no discussion on the release of Imran Khan during negotiations with the opposition.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, after the first round, said talks were held in a good environment and both sides informed each other of their positions. He expressed hope that matters would move towards improvement in the second round.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that the long march will start with full force on October 4 from Gandi Chowk, Lakki Marwat, and will reach Matani, Peshawar, on the night of October 6. He claimed that over Rs 40 million has been collected so far through fundraising.
Sohail Afridi said millions of Pashtuns from the South Region will join the march, and that this is not just about Imran Khan’s release but about the future of youth, peace and development.
On the other hand, government leaders including Rana Sanaullah, Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto and Sherry Rehman have advised PTI to unconditionally call off the long march, saying such actions increase violence and harm national unity against terrorism.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said the government has accepted the proposal to hold negotiations with the opposition to find a political solution to political issues, and that talks should lead to an unconditional end to the long march.
The opposition alliance spokesperson Akhonzada Hussain Yousafzai denied reports that PTI had asked for time to end the long march, calling it irresponsible statements.
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