ISLAMABAD: The first round of negotiations between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was held on Friday at the National Assembly speaker’s chamber, ahead of the Imran Khan-founded party’s long march towards Islamabad, scheduled for October 4.
The six-member opposition delegation includes PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
The government delegation includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Sherry Rehman and others.
During the meeting, the interior minister presented a briefing on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PTI reconstituted its delegation for the meeting after Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to attend the meeting at the NA speaker’s chamber, saying he would attend the talks if they were held at a neutral location.
Sources said that PTI leadership rejected TTAF chief’s demand and formed a new delegation for talks.
Speaking to journalists following the meeting, the PTI chief said the first round of talks with the government was held in a good atmosphere, adding that the meeting lasted about an hour.
Both sides conveyed their respective positions, he said, adding that the opposition had presented its demands in a simple and clear manner.
Gohar said that his party attended the talks without any conditions after being invited by the government.
He expressed hope that matters would move in a positive direction.
The PTI leader said that the second round of talks would be held at 2pm on Saturday.
He was of the view that negotiations and the PTI’s long march would continue simultaneously.
He said there was no room for imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in KP.
For his part, Sanaullah said that no decision could be reached during the first round of talks between the government and the PTI.
He said the two sides would resume negotiations tomorrow, adding that he could not say anything about progress at this stage.
The PTI had earlier postponed its planned long march towards the federal capital from September 27 to October 4. The former ruling party has said the protest is aimed at seeking the release of its jailed founding chairman Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy. –Agencies
