Islamabad: Government and opposition representatives are scheduled to meet at noon on October 2, opening a channel for negotiations two days before PTI’s planned march to Islamabad for Imran Khan’s release.
The meeting was announced after Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday. Statements from the Presidency and PPP confirmed that a joint delegation would discuss the political situation with the opposition.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan accepted the invitation following consultations with opposition leaders. Talks are scheduled at National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s office.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah and PPP leaders Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani will represent the government side. Opposition participants include Gohar, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Yousafzai.
TTAP chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai has declined to attend a meeting in the speaker’s chamber, while expressing willingness to hold talks elsewhere.
The talks follow informal contacts disclosed by Sanaullah, who warned that authorities would prevent protesters from entering Islamabad if the march proceeded. He also said governor’s rule in KP remained under consideration.
Shehbaz and Zardari discussed a possible emergency in KP but agreed to give dialogue a chance first. The official statements did not announce any decision to impose emergency or governor’s rule.
Gohar warned that intervention against the provincial electorate’s wishes could weaken the federation. He maintained that the march would remain peaceful and said negotiations should address protesters’ concerns.
Abbas similarly offered dialogue without preconditions. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party would continue preparing for the protest under KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
With neither a cancellation nor a settlement announced, Friday’s meeting offers an opportunity to ease the confrontation before Sunday’s march.
