Over the past four to five weeks, more than half a dozen discreet meetings took place between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives and government authorities in an attempt to resolve the impasse concerning the party’s planned march towards Islamabad. Despite efforts to find a political solution, these discussions did not succeed in breaking the deadlock.
The central issue throughout these talks was whether PTI would fully cancel its march instead of simply postponing it. Officials and security agencies made it clear that while some political space could be carved out for PTI, any form of agitation involving violence, road blockades, or marches would not be tolerated. The primary goal was to determine if a mutually acceptable arrangement could prevent the confrontation linked to the march.
PTI was informed that political engagement and facilitation on certain concerns were possible, but only if the party abandoned its confrontational approach. The disagreement over the distinction between postponing and calling off the march became the main obstacle. Authorities insisted that merely delaying the event would not alleviate the security risks posed by a large-scale mobilisation heading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the capital.
Concerns were particularly focused on the potential for thousands of participants gathering en route to Islamabad, which could escalate into unrest and undermine any political goodwill generated through the backchannel efforts. The government publicly condemned road blockades and disruptions to daily life, implementing heightened security measures ahead of the initially scheduled September 27 march.
During the negotiations, Mahmood Khan Achakzai was approached regarding the possibility of calling off the march. He indicated that such a decision might be feasible if arrangements were made for him to meet PTI founder Imran Khan in jail. However, this proposal was rejected, with the response emphasizing that PTI must first call off the march before discussions on meetings, legal access, and medical treatment for Imran Khan could be facilitated within the existing framework.
As a result, the backchannel talks continued without resolution on securing a definitive call-off. The situation grew more tense following a series of provocative statements from PTI leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were perceived as confrontational and contributed to a hardening stance by the government and security officials.
PTI received a clear warning that any attempt to proceed with the march would be met with a firm response. This prompted internal discussions within the party about alternative strategies, including the possibility of a slower, more gradual mobilisation towards Islamabad rather than a single large-scale march. However, this approach failed to satisfy government concerns.
The fundamental position conveyed was unequivocal: there must be no march towards Islamabad, nor any scenario that could lead to prolonged road blockades or confrontations. Another significant message delivered during the talks related to the political timeline. PTI was informed that if it went ahead with the march, the subsequent political process would not necessarily follow the party’s preferred schedule but rather one determined by the government and security agencies.
It was also clarified that the discussions did not include any commitments regarding the release of Imran Khan. Instead, potential facilitation focused on access to legal counsel, meetings with Imran Khan, and his medical care.
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