Rana Sanaullah Warns PTI Long March Will Not Be Allowed to Enter Islamabad as Talks Collapse

Pakistan's government has ruled out allowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) long march to enter Islamabad after government-opposition negotiations collapsed over disagreements on counterterrorism cooperation with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

By News Desk
By News Desk
PTI LONG MARCH

Pakistan’s government has ruled out allowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march to enter Islamabad after government-opposition negotiations collapsed over disagreements on counterterrorism cooperation with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Sunday warned that the federal government would prevent the PTI’s planned long march from entering Islamabad, vowing to maintain law and order as the party began mobilising supporters across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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His remarks came shortly after government and opposition talks ended without an agreement, with both sides failing to resolve key differences over the provincial government’s role in counterterrorism operations.

“The long march will not be allowed to enter the limits of Islamabad,” Sanaullah said, warning that any attempt to create unrest would be dealt with under the law.

He said the government had revised the draft agreement two or three times in an effort to reach a settlement. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government remained unwilling to provide assurances regarding cooperation with the federal government’s counterterrorism policy.

“The provincial government must fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibility against terrorism,” Sanaullah said, describing cooperation in the fight against terrorism as a non-negotiable condition.

He added that the federal government would not accept any refusal to cooperate in efforts to combat terrorism.

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PTI Begins Long March Towards Islamabad

The government’s warning came as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the start of the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad.

In a post on X, Afridi said the first phase of the march would begin at 1pm on Sunday from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat were expected to join the convoy.

According to the announced schedule, the participants would camp near Karak on Sunday night, with supporters from the district joining the march on Monday.

The convoy would then proceed towards Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda over the following days.

Afridi further announced that PTI supporters from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would gather at Khairabad on October 8, where the party would reveal its next course of action.

The march comes amid heightened political tensions between the federal government and the PTI, which has repeatedly demanded the release of its incarcerated leaders and workers.

Rana Sanaullah Leaves Door Open for Further Talks

Despite the collapse of negotiations, Sanaullah said the government remained open to dialogue if the PTI and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government agreed to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts.

“There can be no retreat from the war against terrorism,” he said, reiterating that the federal government would not compromise on national security.

He added that the opposition could return to the negotiating table at any time if it was willing to address the government’s concerns.

Sanaullah also discussed issues concerning PTI founder Imran Khan, including his medical treatment and meetings with political leaders. However, he described these matters as relatively minor compared with the unresolved counterterrorism issue.

He said the government had assured the opposition that meetings with Imran Khan and matters related to his medical care would continue in accordance with the law and jail regulations.

Sanaullah also cautioned that meetings with the former prime minister should not be used for political purposes.

The adviser said no date had been finalised for another round of negotiations. He added that the government would consider different options depending on the situation and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Government-Opposition Talks Collapse After Near-Agreement

The breakdown in negotiations came despite earlier indications that the two sides were close to reaching a settlement.

Sources familiar with the discussions said nearly 95% of the issues had been resolved, with only one or two major points remaining unsettled.

The negotiations were convened ahead of the PTI’s October 4 long march, with the government seeking to prevent the protest from reaching the federal capital. The opposition had initially indicated that it could consider calling off the march if meaningful progress was achieved.

The government delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Rana Sanaullah and Pakistan Peoples Party leaders Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman and Ejaz Jakhrani.

The opposition team comprised PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Aamir Dogar and Haleem Adil Sheikh. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the negotiations.

During the discussions, the government reportedly agreed to facilitate a meeting between Imran Khan and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The opposition, meanwhile, indicated its willingness to consider withdrawing the planned protest.

The PTI also demanded the release of Imran Khan’s sisters, party parliamentarians and detained workers. Opposition leaders said they would attempt to persuade the party founder to resolve political disputes through negotiations.

However, the two sides ultimately failed to overcome their differences, particularly regarding counterterrorism cooperation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

With the PTI proceeding with its long march and the federal government maintaining its firm stance, the political standoff is expected to intensify in the coming days.

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