Pakistan govt, opposition hold first talks ahead of PTI Oct 4 march

Government and opposition delegations held their first formal negotiation session Friday at the National Assembly speaker's chamber in Islamabad. The talks, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, aimed to defuse a political crisis driven by the PTI's planned October 4 long march demanding jailed founder Imran Khan's release.

Both sides presented their positions and agreed to continue discussions Saturday at 2 p.m. PTI negotiators demanded Khan's release along with his sisters and detained lawmakers, while the government pressed for the protest call to be withdrawn. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed participants on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“I am ready to sit anywhere in Pakistan, under any tree. But I will not go to the speaker house, the Prime Minister's House or the prime minister's chamber.”

Opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai refused to attend any meeting at the speaker's chamber, calling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif illegitimate. He said he would meet "under any tree" but not at official venues. A senior TTAP leader said even Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas agreed to attend only at PTI's request.

The PPP joined the government delegation alongside ministers Rana Sanaullah, Mohsin Naqvi, and Amir Muqam. President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz had met Thursday at Aiwan-i-Sadr to review national security and endorse the dialogue track. Federal ministers have warned of possible governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the march proceeds.