ISLAMABAD: Talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to produce a breakthrough after continuing for 13 hours, with the two sides remaining deadlocked over the cancellation of the party’s long march. Following the failure of talks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the long march would begin today, October 4.

The second round of talks between the government, Pakistan Peoples Party and the opposition was held under National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The government urged PTI to call off the long march in view of the prevailing security situation and terrorism threats, but the PTI refused to withdraw the march without a meeting with its founder, Imran Khan.

According to sources, the PTI negotiating team demanded that Barrister Gohar Khan, Asad Qaiser and other party leaders be allowed to meet Imran Khan before any final decision is taken regarding the long march.

The government delegation included Federal Ministers Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah, Mohsin Naqvi, Talal Chaudhry and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, while the PPP was represented by Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani. The opposition delegation comprised Barrister Gohar Khan, Asad Qaiser, Aamir Dogar, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Salman Akram Raja.

The talks also covered the release of PTI leaders and workers detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) law, as well as the release of Imran Khan’s sisters. Sources said some progress was made on these issues, but no agreement could be reached on the key issue of calling off the long march.

Government representative Amir Muqam reportedly pointed out during the talks that despite the government’s demand for cancellation of the march, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had announced that it would proceed. The government expressed concern that the move could undermine the negotiating process.

The opposition, meanwhile, raised objections to remarks and a social media post by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, stressing that an atmosphere of trust was essential for taking the dialogue forward.

After the talks failed to resolve the deadlock, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the first phase of the PTI long march would begin today, October 4, from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1pm.

According to Afridi, workers from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South and North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat will join the convoy at Gandi Chowk. The convoy is scheduled to reach Karak for an overnight stay, while workers from Karak will join the march on October 5.

Afridi said the long march would remain peaceful and directed participants to join unarmed, stressing that PTI would not allow any form of violence or disorder. He said the march would reach Peshawar on the morning of October 6 before moving towards Swabi, while convoys from Malakand, Hazara and the tribal districts would join later.

With the 13-hour negotiations ending without an agreement, the government and PTI remain deadlocked over the long march, raising concerns that political tensions could escalate as the PTI moves ahead with its announced protest campaign.