ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks between the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended without a clear breakthrough as differences between the two sides persisted over key political issues and the party’s planned long march.
The negotiations, held at the National Assembly Speaker’s chambers, continued for several hours. Despite discussions on the prevailing political situation and PTI’s demands, the two sides failed to reach a final agreement on the issues under discussion.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that the PTI long march will begin today at 1pm from Lakki Marwat, according to the schedule already announced by the party.
The chief minister said the caravan would proceed according to the announced route, with PTI workers and supporters from different districts expected to join the procession.
Despite the ongoing dialogue in Islamabad, PTI leaders have maintained that the planned march will go ahead unless a clear political understanding is reached.
Shafqat Abbas Awan Questions Government’s Narrative
Senior PTI leader and MNA from Sargodha Shafqat Abbas Awan, in a statement, also commented on the ongoing negotiations and the government’s position towards PTI.
Awan expressed his personal opinion that the government was attempting to create a narrative associating PTI with terrorism while simultaneously engaging the party in political dialogue.
He questioned the rationale of holding negotiations with a political party while, at the same time, linking its political activities and protests with terrorism-related concerns.
According to Awan, political differences should be addressed through political dialogue rather than through narratives that, in his view, attempt to portray PTI as connected with terrorism.
His remarks were presented as his personal political assessment of the government’s approach.
Political Situation Remains Uncertain
The developments have left the political situation uncertain, with negotiations continuing on one side and PTI’s preparations for the long march continuing on the other.
The government has expressed concerns over law and order and the security situation, while PTI maintains that its demands are political and constitutional in nature.
With CM Sohail Afridi announcing the 1pm departure from Lakki Marwat, attention is now focused on the movement of the PTI caravan and whether further negotiations between the government and opposition can produce an understanding before the march proceeds towards Islamabad.
