Islamabad: The first round of negotiations between the government and the opposition has been completed. Both sides have put their demands before each other and have agreed to continue the talks. The next round will be tomorrow at 2 pm.
Government and opposition members attended the meeting held in the Speaker’s chamber of the National Assembly. The government delegation included Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah, Talal Chaudhry, Amir Muqam and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. Sherry Rehman and Naveed Qamar also participated in the talks from the PPP.
The opposition was represented by Barrister Gohar, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser and Aamir Dogar among others. The talks discussed the current political situation and the future course of action.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also briefed the negotiating delegations on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The security situation and political tension in the province came under discussion at a time when the PTI has announced protests on October 4.
According to reports, the PTI raised the issue of Imran Khan’s release in the talks. Issues related to his medical examination and meetings with medical facilities are also among the demands. The party has also put forward a demand for the release of Imran Khan’s sisters and arrested MLAs.
On the other hand, the government delegation demanded that the PTI withdraw its call for a long march on October 4. The government has already expressed concerns that the protests will affect law and order and normal life.
At the end of the talks, Barrister Gohar said that the talks were held in a good atmosphere and both sides presented their positions. According to him, the talks were held in a different manner than in the past, and it is hoped that this process will move forward.
PTI leader Salman Akram Raja also made it clear that the party stands by its demands.
After the talks, Mohsin Naqvi and Rana Sanaullah contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the phone. Both leaders apprised the Prime Minister of the progress made in the talks.
Now the next round of talks will be important, where further discussions are expected on the demands of the parties. In particular, demands related to Imran Khan and the issue of the October 4 protest are likely to be among the main points of the talks.
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