Deadlock persists in govt-PTI talks over KP terrorism, Imran’s access to doctors

Hours-long talks between the government and the opposition ended without a breakthrough early on Sunday, with both sides remaining at odds over terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and access to former prime minister Imran Khan’s personal doctors.

The second round of talks, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began at Parliament House shortly after 4pm on Saturday and continued until nearly 3am.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who was part of the opposition delegation, told reporters after the meeting that the talks had ended in a “deadlock”.

Asked about the issues preventing an agreement, Abbas said they were “small things”, but added that the issue of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan remained unresolved.

He said the deadlock centred on access to Imran’s personal physicians and the handling of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Abbas added that a detailed press conference would be held later.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the talks primarily failed because the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government could not assure the federal government of its future cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

He alleged that the PTI-led provincial government did not want to implement the National Action Plan, adding that the PTI delegation had also left the talks disappointed over the KP government’s position on terrorism.

Chaudhry said an agreement had been reached on all other issues. Asked about the government’s possible next steps, he said the Constitution provided “several options”.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman, who participated in the talks, said the government delegation had discussed all points with the opposition.

“Unfortunately, the draft was changed four times after it was agreed upon,” she told Geo News, without elaborating.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party’s planned long march remained “intact” and would proceed.

He also said imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not the answer to the situation.

Gohar said the two sides had also failed to agree on a date for the next round of talks. He said the opposition’s demands included meetings with Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, while negotiations had also become stuck over some issues related to terrorism.

The talks were held ahead of the PTI’s planned October 4 march towards Islamabad, which the party has said is aimed at demanding Imran’s release.