Negotiations between government and opposition representatives are underway as efforts continue to ease the country’s ongoing political tensions, with the PTI’s planned October 4 protest demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan emerging as a major point of disagreement.
The PTI has reiterated its intention to proceed with the protest, while federal ministers have warned that the Centre could be forced to consider imposing governor’s rule or emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the province’s security situation and the planned protest.
The opposition has, meanwhile, cautioned the government against taking such measures, warning of serious consequences if governor’s rule or emergency is imposed in the province.
The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Aain Pakistan (TTAP) said negotiations with the government’s committee were in progress, with the opposition delegation being led by the Senate opposition leader.
A joint delegation comprising representatives of the government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is also scheduled to meet PTI leaders to discuss the prevailing political situation.
The government’s delegation is expected to include Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, and PPP lawmakers Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani.
Representing the opposition are PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Yousafzai, Senate Opposition Leader Abbas, former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.
The talks come amid heightened political tensions over the PTI’s planned October 4 protest and growing differences between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration.
