PTI March Heads for Islamabad as Talks Collapse Over Counterterrorism Dispute

Political tensions have intensified as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moves ahead with its march towards Islamabad. The development follows two days of government-opposition negotiations that ended without a final agreement.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the planned march from the province. The convoy is scheduled to begin its journey from Lakki Marwat on Sunday.

The negotiations mainly broke down over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s role in counterterrorism operations. Government representatives sought a clear commitment from the provincial government to support security forces in the fight against terrorism.

Why Government-PTI Talks Failed

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said counterterrorism cooperation became the central point of disagreement.

He said the government revised the proposed agreement two or three times. However, the KP government remained unwilling to cooperate with the federal government’s counterterrorism policy.

Sanaullah argued that the provincial government has a constitutional and legal responsibility to act against terrorism. Therefore, he described cooperation with security forces as a non-negotiable demand.

“The refusal to cooperate against terrorism is not acceptable,” Sanaullah said.

He also warned that the PTI convoy would not be allowed to enter Islamabad. “The long march will not be allowed to enter the limits of Islamabad,” he said.

Sanaullah added that authorities would respond according to the law if the march created disorder.

Sohail Afridi Announces PTI March Route

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the PTI march would begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1pm Sunday.

Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are expected to join the convoy.

According to the announced route, the participants will spend Sunday night near Karak. Supporters from Karak will join the march on Monday.

The convoy will then move towards Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda during the following days. Afridi said PTI supporters from across KP would gather at Khairabad on October 8.

The party will announce its next course of action at Khairabad.

Imran Khan’s Meetings Become Part of Dispute

The government-opposition talks also covered several issues involving PTI founder Imran Khan. These included his meetings with party leaders and access to medical treatment.

Sanaullah said the government had discussed these matters during the negotiations. However, he described them as less significant than the dispute over counterterrorism cooperation.

He said the government assured the opposition that meetings with Imran Khan and his medical treatment would follow prison rules and the law.

“If you do not use the meetings for political purposes, we will not create any hurdle,” Sanaullah said.

However, the opposition remained divided over whether to finalise an agreement without first meeting Imran Khan.

Opposition Leaders Differ Over Agreement

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai told Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser by telephone that the opposition should meet Imran Khan before signing an agreement.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Asad Qaiser also wanted Achakzai to be consulted before any agreement was finalised.

Achakzai said he could not make such an important decision alone. He also argued that the government should first allow Sohail Afridi and other opposition leaders to meet Imran Khan.

According to the opposition position, such a meeting was necessary before deciding whether the march could be suspended or withdrawn.

Talks End Without Final Agreement

The negotiations had initially shown signs of progress during the second round of talks. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting in his chamber.

The discussions covered several political issues, including the planned PTI march towards Islamabad. However, disagreements over counterterrorism measures eventually prevented a final settlement.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said the party would enter negotiations with optimism and good intentions.

Raja Nasir Abbas, the opposition leader in the Senate, confirmed the deadlock. He said the sides had reached agreement on several issues.

However, he said discussions stalled over measures concerning terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also said there had been no progress regarding Imran Khan’s personal physician or arrangements for meetings.

PPP leader Sherry Rehman, who is part of the government-PPP negotiating committee, said the draft agreement was revised four times.

She emphasised that the government could not compromise on measures against terrorism.

Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said the government had taken the negotiations as far as possible. He also alleged that the PTI negotiating team was receiving directions from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

With the talks ending without a deal, the PTI march is now moving forward. Meanwhile, the government has made clear that it will not allow the convoy to enter Islamabad, leaving the political standoff unresolved.

For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.