Pakistan govt, opposition talks underway as PTI march looms

Pakistan's government and opposition resumed talks on Saturday, a day before the PTI's planned Oct. 4 march towards Islamabad.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the second round at the National Assembly. Both sides face pressure to avert another political escalation. The talks were still underway, with no agreement, decision or formal announcement emerging from the negotiations so far.

Where do the government and opposition talks stand?

The two sides held their first meeting on Friday without reaching a breakthrough. Both presented their positions but failed to resolve key differences, according to reports. The negotiations focus on the PTI's Oct. 4 protest and wider political and security concerns.

Sadiq called for the discussions to continue in the same "cordial atmosphere" as Friday's meeting, according to a National Assembly statement. The continuation of the talks on Saturday reflects an effort by both sides to keep the dialogue open, although no outcome had been announced as the latest meeting continued.

The talks were initiated after a Thursday meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior government and PPP figures. That meeting opened a channel for direct discussions with the PTI-led opposition.

Who is taking part in the talks?

The government delegation includes Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The Pakistan Peoples Party is represented by Senator Sherry Rehman and lawmakers Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

The opposition delegation includes PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Opposition Chief Whip Amir Dogar. It also includes former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh.

Why is the PTI still planning to march on Islamabad?

The government has sought to prevent the march, while the PTI has maintained its protest call. The party has linked its demands to the release and treatment of party founder Imran Khan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Saturday that the protest would proceed and described peaceful assembly as a constitutional right.

He said a procession would begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1 p.m. on Oct. 4 before joining other PTI convoys heading towards Islamabad. PTI provincial leaders have said separate processions from southern districts, Peshawar, Malakand and Hazara would converge in Swabi before proceeding towards the capital.

Afridi also said the party would continue its political campaign until it secured what it described as constitutional and legal rights and an independent judiciary. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry warned that the KP chief minister's statements could complicate the negotiations. He urged PTI leaders to avoid rhetoric that could undermine the dialogue while talks were ongoing.

What security concerns are shaping the negotiations?

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi raised the security situation in KP during Friday's negotiations, according to people familiar with the meeting. The opposition argued that political issues should not be conflated with terrorism and law-and-order concerns.

The military has also issued a warning. At a Corps Commanders' Conference on Friday, Pakistan's top military leadership said any attempt to create unrest resembling the May 9, 2023 violence would be met with "decisive force" and the rule of law, according to the military's media wing. The May 9 unrest erupted after Imran Khan's arrest and involved attacks on government and military installations.

Authorities have stepped up security around Islamabad, including the deployment of additional personnel and the use of shipping containers to restrict access to the capital. The measures have also disrupted freight movement and transport across parts of the country.

With the protest date approaching, the second round of talks will determine whether the two sides can narrow their differences or whether the planned march will proceed as scheduled.