Government and PTI Begin Talks as October 4 March Tensions Rise

Government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) negotiating committees began talks in Islamabad on Friday as tensions continued over the opposition party’s planned October 4 march.

The two sides met at National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s office. The talks followed the government’s decision to engage the opposition through dialogue.

The government committee held an informal meeting before the talks. Members discussed legal matters and issues expected to come up during negotiations.

Government and PTI Teams Meet

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam and PPP Senator Sherry Rehman were among the government representatives at the meeting.

PPP leaders Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani also attended. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were also present.

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The PTI negotiating team included Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.

PTI had agreed to talks after discussions within its political and core committees. According to Dawn, the party linked the outcome of negotiations to its planned march and also raised the issue of meeting party founder Imran Khan.

Government Calls for Dialogue

Speaking before the talks, Talal Chaudhry urged political parties to prioritise public concerns.

He said the government hoped the opposition would reconsider the October 4 march and use dialogue to address outstanding issues.

The government has said its doors remain open for negotiations. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also described dialogue as preferable to confrontation.

The government had earlier discussed constitutional options, including emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, amid concerns over security and the planned protest.

Opposition Seeks Political Consensus

Before the formal talks, PTI and other opposition figures met Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

The meeting focused on the political situation, a proposed All Parties Conference and the October 4 march.

Raja Nasir Abbas said the proposed conference could seek a broader political solution to the country’s problems.

Hafiz Naeem said JI would participate in the conference. He called for consensus on peace, law and order and economic issues.

The JI chief also opposed governor’s rule or emergency measures in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He called for meaningful negotiations between the government and PTI.

October 4 March Remains Key Issue

PTI originally planned its Islamabad march for September 27 but later moved it to October 4. The party has maintained that its protest will proceed while negotiations continue.

Barrister Gohar said the opposition entered the talks without preconditions. He also indicated that the government’s response would influence discussions about the march.

Meanwhile, authorities have taken security measures around routes leading to Islamabad. Reuters reported that the use of shipping containers as barricades has disrupted freight movement and transport operations, particularly around Karachi and routes toward northern Pakistan.

The talks now provide a political channel for both sides to address their differences ahead of the planned protest.