- Talks to focus on current political situation.
- Delegation includes ministers and senior PPP leaders.
- PTI had earlier accepted govt’s offer for talks.
ISLAMABAD: A joint delegation of the federal government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Friday for talks on the prevailing political situation, the President’s Office said.
The decision was taken during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the President House on Thursday, where the country’s overall political and security situation was discussed.
The meeting expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power, and stressed the need to further strengthen the national resolve against terrorism and ensure effective coordination among relevant institutions for peace and stability.
The joint delegation, tasked to negotiate with the PTI, will include Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam from the federal government.
The PPP will be represented by Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani.
The development comes hours after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that his party had accepted the government’s offer for talks ahead of its proposed long march on October 4.
Gohar said the government’s message regarding the meeting had been received on Wednesday and accepted in light of decisions taken during an opposition leaders’ meeting earlier in the day.
He said representatives of the government and opposition would meet at noon on Friday in the office of the National Assembly speaker.
The PTI had earlier postponed its planned long march towards Islamabad from September 27 to October 4.
The former ruling party has said the protest is aimed at seeking the release of its jailed founding chairman, Imran Khan, and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Gohar had earlier said PTI’s doors remained open for negotiations with the government, adding that the party would welcome a government delegation for talks.
He also said the focus should remain on preventing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and maintained that PTI had consistently opposed politicising the issue of terrorism.
Gohar had warned that imposing governor’s rule in the province would worsen the situation, increase tensions and create further divisions.
“I tell everyone, for God’s sake, come to their senses and avoid such measures,” he said.
He had also maintained that the announcement regarding the long march was final, while the opposition continued consultations over preparations for the planned march and its political strategy.
