Govt-PTI Talks End in Deadlock as Long March Dispute Persists

Talks between the government and opposition ended without an agreement after the two sides failed to bridge differences over PTI’s planned long march, counterterrorism cooperation and other key issues.

Members of the negotiating committees left the Speaker’s Chamber following the latest round of talks, with both sides subsequently confirming that a deadlock remained and no further session had been agreed for the following day.

Speaking to the media after the negotiations, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, a member of the government’s negotiating team, said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was unwilling to commit to playing its constitutional role in the fight against terrorism.

Sanaullah said the draft agreement had been amended two or three times, but the provincial government was still not prepared to assure cooperation with security forces in counterterrorism operations in accordance with the federal government’s policy.

He said the government could not accept a refusal to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, adding that this disagreement ultimately prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement.

According to Sanaullah, issues concerning meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan and his medical treatment were comparatively minor matters.

He said the opposition had been assured that meetings would continue in accordance with the law and prison regulations, provided they were not used for political purposes.

Sanaullah also made clear that PTI’s planned long march would not be permitted to enter Islamabad.

“The long march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad’s limits,” he said, adding that any attempt to create disorder would be prevented through the force of law.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, also part of the government’s negotiating committee, said the government had listened to the opposition’s concerns and changed the draft four times in an effort to reach an understanding.

She said there could be no compromise on terrorism, while the opposition had refused to agree on provisions concerning the long march and other issues.

On the other side, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the negotiations had reached a deadlock.

He said both sides had not agreed on the need for another session the following day, although they would exchange certain proposals and another meeting could take place if required.

Gohar said PTI had wanted the negotiations to succeed but confirmed that the party’s long march remained intact and would go ahead.

“Our long march is intact. The long march will take place,” he said.

The PTI chairman maintained that holding a long march was the party’s right and urged authorities not to stop it. He also said no action should be taken under the cover of responding to the march that could create further tension among the people of the province.

Gohar said politics should never be treated as final, leaving the possibility of further engagement open, but maintained that emergency measures or Governor’s Rule were not an appropriate response to a long march.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who was part of the opposition delegation, separately said the deadlock remained despite efforts to reach a settlement.

He said the issue of a meeting with Imran Khan could not be resolved, while differences also remained over access to Khan by his personal physician.

According to Abbas, the opposition also had concerns regarding the National Action Plan and counterterrorism operations in areas where internally displaced persons were present.

He said the government delegation informed them after the talks that it was not currently in a position to arrange a meeting with Imran Khan, although meetings with his sisters and lawyers would resume.

Barrister Salman Akram Raja also confirmed that no consensus could be reached on the fundamental issues, despite expectations that the two sides might identify common ground and move the negotiations forward.

The failure to reach an agreement leaves uncertainty over the next phase of political engagement, with PTI maintaining its plan to march towards Islamabad while the government has categorically said it will not allow the march to enter the federal capital.