Islamabad, 04 October (H.S.): Talks between the government and the opposition aimed at preventing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from proceeding with its ‘Long March’ towards Islamabad today (October 4) ended inconclusively on Saturday. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on key issues. No consensus was reached on when the talks would resume either.

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said the two sides could not agree on fundamental issues. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, said differences remained over access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, including a meeting with him and access to his personal doctor. Meanwhile, the PTI said the Long March would proceed as scheduled.

According to The News, Salman said, “Our position was that we could move towards a point on which both sides could agree.”

Abbas said the opposition had also sought clarity over military operations in areas where displaced people were residing. He said the government had indicated that it was not currently in a position to arrange a meeting with Imran Khan, although permission would be granted for his sisters and lawyers to meet him.

Following the failure of the talks, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said, “We wanted the talks to succeed.” He said the party’s Long March would proceed according to schedule, while stressing that no action should be taken during the protest that could create tensions among the people of the province.

Gohar said nothing in politics should be considered final and stressed that the Long March should not be met with the imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule. He also said the two sides had failed to agree on the next phase of the talks. The deadlock came after several changes were made to the draft agreement.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman said the draft had been amended four times and that the government had listened to PTI’s concerns, but stressed that there could be no compromise on the issue of terrorism.

“They have refused to compromise on the Long March and other matters,” Sherry said.

The government’s position focused on counterterrorism measures and the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the provincial government must fulfil its constitutional responsibility regarding terrorism. He alleged that the provincial administration had failed to provide assurances about its role in counterterrorism efforts.

Rana warned that the Long March would not be allowed to enter Islamabad’s boundaries and said that any unrest would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He also said no date had been set for the next round of talks.

According to sources, after consultations with the negotiating teams, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the telephone and met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The meeting between the opposition and government delegations was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The talks began as the government and PTI sought to ease tensions over the proposed march and broader political differences.

The government delegation comprised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and PPP leaders Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman and Ejaz Jakhrani.

Representing the opposition were Nasir Abbas, Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar