Sources said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also met an important government figure before reaching Parliament House. The meeting reportedly focused on the opposition’s demands and possible government responses.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah are present in the Speaker’s Chamber. PPP representatives Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani have also arrived for the talks.
The opposition delegation includes PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Aamir Dogar.
The second round was initially scheduled for 2pm but the timing was changed to 3pm earlier today. Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser and Raja Nasir Abbas arrived at Parliament House after some delay.
Asked about the delay, Barrister Gohar said important matters sometimes cause delays. He said they were heading to the talks and described the latest round as important.
Gohar expressed disappointment over what he described as irresponsible statements by some members during the negotiations. He did not respond to questions about his meeting with the government figure but expressed hope that the talks would be productive.
He said the PTI was participating in the negotiations in good faith but expressed concern over reports of extreme measures to stop the long march, saying such measures should not be taken in a democracy.
Speaking to the media at Parliament House, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said resolving issues through democratic means was preferable and that the negotiations were being held with the same hope.
She said this was a time to resolve issues rather than complicate them and declined to comment further while the negotiation process remained underway.
Federal Minister Amir Muqam also urged people to remain hopeful about the talks, saying all matters would be discussed at the negotiating table.
PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said it had been agreed that discussions inside the talks would not be made public, but some individuals had acted irresponsibly by presenting a one-sided narrative to the media.
He said the PTI believed it should be given access to PTI founder Imran Khan and that such access could help improve the country’s political environment.
Before the second round, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a meeting of more than an hour with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi briefed the prime minister on the negotiations with the opposition, while the political situation in the country was also discussed.
Earlier on Saturday, PTI’s political and core committees held a meeting to discuss the ongoing talks with the government and the October 4 long march. Barrister Gohar briefed participants on the negotiations.
According to sources, a majority of participants supported continuing talks with the government. A proposal was also discussed that the long march date could be moved forward if positive progress was made in negotiations. Different proposals regarding postponing or cancelling the march were also considered.
The opposition alliance also endorsed a proposal for Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas to meet PTI founder Imran Khan.
PTI has announced a long march towards Islamabad for October 4, after the earlier date of September 27 was changed. Barrister Gohar said on Thursday that PTI had accepted the federal government’s invitation for talks following a consensus decision by the opposition alliance.
The first round of government-opposition talks was held on Friday in the National Assembly Speaker’s Chamber. The government and opposition delegations presented their respective positions on the political situation and other issues.
After several hours of discussions, both sides agreed to continue negotiations on Saturday, leading to the second round being held today.
