Islamabad, October 2, 2026: The first round of talks between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led opposition concluded on Friday, with both sides agreeing to resume negotiations on Saturday amid heightened political tensions over the party’s planned October 4 long march towards Islamabad.
The talks, held at the office of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, were aimed at defusing the political crisis surrounding the proposed march, which the PTI has linked to demands including the release of party founder Imran Khan.
The PTI is expected to formally present its demands to the government’s negotiating team during Saturday’s session.
Welcoming the delegations, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he was playing the role of a mediator and reiterated that Parliament was the appropriate forum for resolving political differences through dialogue.
“I am only playing the role of a mediator,” Sadiq said, adding that his office remained open for negotiations.
He stressed that negotiations were the only way to resolve political differences and said positions and offices were temporary, while Parliament provided the forum for finding solutions to national issues.
The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam, along with PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and National Assembly members Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani.
The opposition delegation comprised PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Amir Dogar and PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, according to reports.
Speaking during a break in the talks, Senator Raja Nasir Abbas urged the government to engage with the opposition “with integrity” and take practical steps towards resolving the political crisis.
He said the PTI’s long march call would remain intact until a solution was reached, while emphasising that negotiations could resolve even major political disputes.
Nasir Abbas said the outcome of the dialogue would depend on the government’s intentions and the degree of autonomy available to its negotiating team.
He said maintaining peace, resolving political crises and ensuring economic stability were responsibilities of the government.
The talks come amid continuing tensions over the PTI’s planned march. The party had originally scheduled the protest for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4.
The government has meanwhile warned that the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, coupled with the planned protest, could force it to consider constitutional options including governor’s rule or emergency. The opposition has warned against any such move and demanded political dialogue instead.
Ahead of Friday’s meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari had discussed the political and security situation and agreed on engaging the opposition through a joint government-PPP delegation.
The government had also indicated that it wanted the political dispute to be resolved through dialogue, while PTI leaders said their response to the negotiations would depend on the government’s approach.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Saturday, when the opposition is expected to formally place its demands before the government negotiating committee.
