Govt to engage PTI in talks to find way out of turmoil
• Talks to be held at NA speaker’s chambers today
• PM meets president; ruling coalition discusses governor’s rule, KP security situation
• Bilawal calls Kundi, urges ‘unconditional’ cancellation of protest march
ISLAMABAD: The ruling coalition decided to engage the opposition parties led by the PTI in a dialogue instead of resorting to extreme measures, such as the imposition of the governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to stop its planned march on Islamabad.
The decision came after a meeting at the presidency attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan, and other PPP and PML-N leaders.
The meeting between the government and the opposition would be held at 12pm at the National Assembly speaker’s chambers today. PTI leader Amir Dogar said the opposition party has accepted the talks offer and will meet the government side today.
According to an official statement, the meeting decided that a joint delegation of the federal government and the PPP would meet the PTI leaders on Friday to discuss the prevailing political situation. The government side will include Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam from the federal government, while Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani will represent the PPP.
The PTI delegation will include PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Amir Dogar, Salman Akram Raja, and Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, confirmed Mr Dogar.
During the meeting, participants expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. President Zardari and PM Shehbaz stressed the need to strengthen national resolve against terrorism and ensure effective coordination among all relevant institutions to maintain peace and stability.
A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that the option of imposition of emergency in KP was also discussed in the meeting, but the huddle reached a consensus that the government should first give the opposition a chance to settle issues with the government through dialogue and in a peaceful manner.
In case the PTI did not back down on its protest call, the government would then seriously consider the emergency as an option. “We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” said the source in response to a question on the outcome of the talks. “If they (PTI) are looking for a political and peaceful way out, we want to offer it,” the source said.
The ruling coalition believes the PTI march on Oct 4 will remain confined to its own province and that it will not enter Islamabad or Punjab.
Before the huddle, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam also called on PM Shehbaz. The meeting also discussed the option of a dialogue with the opposition in light of an invitation extended by PM Shehbaz to NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
It is also expected that the PM and the opposition leader can meet in the next couple of days.
Bilawal calls Kundi
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also spoke to KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to discuss the province’s political situation. According to the PPP, Mr Kundi briefed the party chief on recent terrorist incidents in various parts of the province, including Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Tank and Kohat.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari urged the KP provincial government to play its role in addressing the situation arising from terrorism and the ongoing conflict and called for the unconditional cancellation of the march.
Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026
