PTI supporters prepare for the October 4 Islamabad march as government-opposition talks end in deadlock. (Images: X)
Islamabad: PTI has decided to proceed with its planned march towards Islamabad on October 4 after hours of negotiations with the Pakistan government ended without a breakthrough, deepening the political standoff between Imran Khan’s party and the ruling coalition. The second round of government-opposition talks began at Parliament House on Saturday evening and continued into the early hours of Sunday. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues, with PTI leaders maintaining that the march would go ahead as scheduled.
The negotiations were aimed at finding a way to prevent the planned PTI mobilisation towards the federal capital. However, opposition representatives said the talks failed to produce a breakthrough. Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas described the outcome as a “deadlock” and indicated that differences remained over access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. Reports said the two sides had agreed to keep details of the discussions largely away from the media.
Government representatives, meanwhile, pointed to disagreements over cooperation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on counterterrorism matters as one of the major obstacles to an agreement.
Following the failed negotiations, PTI leaders reiterated that the October 4 mobilisation would continue.The government had sought cancellation of the march before considering further political concessions, while PTI maintained that its representatives should be able to meet Imran Khan before making any commitment to withdraw the protest.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and other opposition representatives have continued to push for negotiations, but the planned march remains at the centre of the dispute.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has outlined a route for the PTI-led mobilisation beginning from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4. According to reports, the first phase is scheduled to move through areas including Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda before reaching Khairabad on October 8. A further plan for the march is expected to be announced at that stage. The march had initially been planned for September 27, but was subsequently postponed to October 4.
Authorities have stepped up security measures ahead of the planned mobilisation, with additional security personnel deployed and routes towards the capital restricted. The government has also extended the deployment of Rangers personnel in Islamabad and parts of Punjab amid concerns over the PTI march.
Reuters has reported that the security preparations have also disrupted freight movement, with shipping containers being used as barricades on routes towards the capital and transport operators facing difficulties moving cargo north.
The planned march comes amid heightened political tensions between PTI and the federal government. Authorities have indicated that the march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad, while PTI leaders have continued to call for mobilisation. The confrontation has raised concerns about possible clashes, particularly given the history of violence surrounding previous PTI demonstrations.
With negotiations failing to produce an agreement and PTI maintaining its October 4 schedule, attention is now focused on the movement of supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the government's response as the march progresses towards the capital.
