Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue with the government, dismissing claims that its postponed long march was the result of secret backchannel communications. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja clarified that the decision to delay the march was intended to provide the government additional time to reconsider its stance.
Despite this, Raja noted that the government has yet to indicate any readiness to enter formal negotiations. This statement follows PTI’s announcement that the long march towards Islamabad, initially planned for September 27, has been rescheduled for October 4. The protest aims to demand the release of PTI’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, and to call for the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
The government has maintained a strict position against any road blockades or disruptions to daily life, implementing heightened security measures ahead of the original march date. Raja emphasized that the recent surge in terrorism underscores the necessity for all parties to come together and hold talks. He also mentioned that if any communications have occurred, they need not be disclosed publicly immediately.
Meanwhile, sources reveal that over the past four to five weeks, more than half a dozen unofficial meetings between PTI and government officials have taken place but failed to resolve the impasse regarding the march. These discussions explored potential political solutions to the confrontation but were hindered by disagreements over whether PTI would cancel the march entirely or simply postpone it.
The sources further explained that while the government and security agencies indicated some political space could be made available for PTI, they firmly rejected any political activity involving protests, violence, road blockades, or marches.
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