Islamabad: PTI leaders said on Monday that reconciliation with the government was not possible without involving party founder Imran Khan in political talks, reiterating their position after negotiations ended without an agreement over the weekend.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said Imran’s participation was essential to any future dialogue.
“Only [Imran] has the capability to bridge the gulf that has developed between the state and the nation,” Raja said.
His remarks followed a second round of negotiations between opposition representatives and a joint government and PPP delegation at Parliament House. Chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the discussions began on Saturday afternoon and ended early on Sunday in a deadlock, meaning the parties could not resolve their differences.
The PTI subsequently identified immediate access to Imran as the principal unresolved issue. It said its leadership needed to consult him on political decisions, including the party’s long march.
According to the party, the government agreed to restore family and lawyer visits from Tuesday but declined to include the requested political access in the proposed agreement.
The opposition also sought medical assessment and treatment involving Imran’s personal physicians.
Security policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was another point of disagreement. The PTI said counterterrorism measures should be developed through consultation between the federal and provincial governments, political representatives and tribal elders, with safeguards for civilians.
Government representatives offered a different account. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said negotiations failed because the KP government did not provide assurances of cooperation against terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of undermining the talks.
The PTI rejected those allegations and maintained that meaningful dialogue required consultation with its imprisoned founder.
