Negotiations between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the government ministers failed on Monday as the central convoy of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s party entered Islamabad amid police shelling and roadblocks. Later in the evening, a PTI delegation went to Adiala Jail where Khan is serving his sentence.
A PTI delegation led by Gohar Ali Khan arrived at Adiala Jail around 11pm. National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz accompanied him. The delegation briefed Khan regarding negotiations with the government.
There would not be any negotiations and the Islamabad march would continue, the former prime minister told the party leadership, according to sources.
The PTI leadership has left for the federal capital.
When Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was questioned about this, he said: “There are some internal issues within PTI that prompted their visit to Adiala.” He denied any negotiations taking place but mentioned that discussions are ongoing.
Authorities have enforced a security lockdown for the last two days to block the protesters, whom Khan has called on to march on parliament for a sit-in demonstration to demand his release while highways into the city have been barricaded.
The government has used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, with patrols of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear.
Officials and witnesses said all public transport between cities and terminals had also been shut down in the eastern province of Punjab to keep away the protesters, led by members of PTI.
“The government is telling PTI to stay for two or three days and then leave after making speeches,” Aaj News Islamabad Bureau Chief Tariq Chaudhry said while appearing on News Insight with Amir Zia.
Chaudhry was on the show to share inside details about the negotiations.
“There is a strong possibility of the PTI founder being granted bail in a case in Lahore tomorrow [Tuesday],” he said and added that the five-day remand of Khan related to the case from September 28 was set to expire on November 26.
He was of the view that there are expectations that the magistrate might not extend the remand further. “If this occurs, there is a likelihood that Imran Khan could secure bail in another major case within the next two or three days, increasing his chances of release. As a result, the government has stated that they are looking to the courts for resolution.”
The government delegation included SAFRON Minister Amir Muqam, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Adviser to the PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah while PTI representatives Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, and party chairman Gohar Ali Khan are engaged in discussions.
Negotiations took place at the Minister’s Enclave, with a final announcement anticipated shortly.
Naqvi cancelled a media talk at the D-Chowk to participate in the talks with Khan’s party.
Sources told Aaj News that the protest point would be finalised in agreement, with Peshawar Mor likely to be declared the designated protest site.
They added that the government “would not place obstacles” in the path of demonstrators once the protest point was declared. Protesters would not advance beyond Peshawar Mor towards the Red Zone.
As discussions continue, both the government and PTI are working to establish a framework for the protests.
Earlier in the day, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Ali Saif met with Khan.
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After his meeting with Khan, Gohar responded to questions from reporters regarding ongoing negotiations.
“My meeting with the PTI founder was significant. Imran Khan’s call for protest is final; there is no question of withdrawing that call,” he said.
When asked about the negotiations, the PTI chairman replied, “Yes, we will inform you about that, God willing; they are ongoing.”
