In Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held discussions on Thursday concerning the country’s overall political and security landscape, with particular attention to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Both leaders underscored the importance of reinforcing national unity against terrorism and highlighted the need for enhanced coordination among relevant agencies to maintain peace and stability across Pakistan.
This meeting occurred amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration, especially in light of PTI’s planned long march towards Islamabad scheduled for October 4.
The federal government has been exploring various constitutional and legal measures, including the possibility of imposing emergency rule or governor’s rule in KP, although no official decision had been made at the time of the meeting.
In a significant development, the president and prime minister agreed to dispatch a joint delegation comprising members from the federal government and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to engage with PTI leadership on Friday to address the ongoing political challenges.
The delegation will feature Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam representing the federal government. PPP representatives Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Ejaz Jakhrani will also participate in the talks.
Other key attendees at the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, PPP’s Sherry Rehman, Salim Mandviwalla, as well as Sindh ministers Sharjeel Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
These consultations are part of the government’s efforts to ease tensions surrounding the PTI’s upcoming march. Notably, Adviser Rana Sanaullah revealed that informal discussions between the government and PTI have already begun regarding the October 4 protest.
