ISLAMABAD: Talks between the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended without an agreement after a deadlock emerged over several key issues, including the planned long march and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s role in countering terrorism.
The second round of negotiations continued for several hours, with the government claiming that PTI negotiators had agreed to several proposals. However, the talks reportedly stalled after KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai did not agree to the proposals discussed by the negotiating team.
According to government representatives, efforts continued to persuade the PTI negotiating team to implement the points reportedly agreed upon and announce the cancellation of the long march, but no consensus could be reached.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah said the KP government was not prepared to take responsibility for supporting the fight against terrorism. He said the provincial government must fulfil its constitutional responsibilities and cooperate with security forces in counterterrorism operations.
Rana Sanaullah said the draft agreement was amended several times, but the issue of cooperation against terrorism remained unresolved. He said the government could not accept a refusal by the provincial government to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
Regarding meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan and his medical treatment, Sanaullah said these matters could be handled according to the law and jail regulations. He said there would be no obstruction if meetings were not used for political purposes.
On the planned long march, Sanaullah said no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands or enter Islamabad in violation of the law. He warned that all available options were open to the government and that any unrest would be dealt with according to law.
Pakistan Peoples Party representative Sherry Rehman said the government had listened to PTI’s concerns and amended the draft four times. She said there could be no compromise on counterterrorism, while the opposition had not agreed to provisions concerning the long march and other matters.
The negotiations had earlier appeared close to producing an agreement, with reports suggesting that the draft was being finalised. However, the reported differences over the KP government’s role in counterterrorism and the long march ultimately prevented the deal from being concluded.
Following the failure of the talks, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that he would proceed with his planned long march from Lakki Marwat towards Islamabad.