Negotiations between the government and the opposition ended without a breakthrough, paving the way for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to launch a long march on Friday, with the party citing unresolved issues over access to its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said talks had failed to resolve the matter of meeting Khan, adding that a deadlock also persisted over access to his personal physician.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the first phase of the march would begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, with participants expected to reach Khairabad on October 8, when the party would outline its next course of action.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan described the march as the party’s right and urged authorities not to obstruct it.
The government, however, signaled a firm response. Rana Sanaullah said the march would not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
Talal Chaudhry attributed the failure of negotiations to what he described as the KP government’s failure to provide assurances of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, underscoring the widening differences between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration.
