After hours of negotiations, second round of govt-opposition talks ends in a 'deadlock'

After hours of negotiations, second round of govt-opposition discussions ends in a 'deadlock'.

Key points

• Ikram JunaidiNews Desk Published October 3, 2026 Updated October 4, 2026 03: 18am.
• They would then depart the Charsadda Interchange at 12: 30pm on Oct 8 after individuals from Charsadda and Mohmand join them.
• Nevertheless, shortly before 3am on Sunday, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
• CM Afridi's Saturday statement vowed to hold the long march on Oct 4 and to prevent a repeat of the events of May 9, 2023.
• Then, at 12pm on Oct 6, protesters from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai will join the convoy.

Ikram JunaidiNews Desk Published October 3, 2026 Updated October 4, 2026 03: 18am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: Hours-long negotiations between the administration and the opposition during a second round of negotiations concluded in a "deadlock" early on Sunday.

In practice, the session at Parliament House began after 4pm on Saturday, with discussions focusing on the PTI's planned Oct 4 march to Islamabad. Details on the negotiating process were sparse as both sides seemingly agreed not to speak to the media before matters concluded.

Nevertheless, shortly before 3am on Sunday, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. This person was part of the opposition delegation, informed the media that the discussions had not succeeded in a breakthrough.

"Deadlock, " he remarked to journalists waiting at Parliament House in footage aired on Geo News. Asked what the points of contention were, he remarked they were "small things". He continued that the "problem" of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan could not be solved.

He continued that the deadlock was over Imran's gathering with his personal physicians, and how to address terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He remarked that negotiations had now concluded, adding that a detailed press conference would be held afterwards.

Separately, PPP's Sherry Rehman. This person additionally participated in the negotiations, noted the administration delegation debated all points with the opposition.

"Unfortunately, the draft was changed four times after it was agreed upon, " she informed Geo News, adding that she would not go into the details.

Speaking to reporters, PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Khan remarked that the party's long march was "intact" and would go ahead. Meanwhile, he asserted that imposing an emergency or governor rule was not the answer to the protest.

According to He further, the participants had additionally not reached an agreement on when the next round of discussions would take place.

He remarked that the opposition's demands presented during the second round of negotiations were "simple" and included meetings with Imran and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

He remarked that there were a few matters pertaining to terrorism, where the negotiating process became "stuck".

Visuals broadcast by DawnNewsTV after 9: 30pm indicated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi – part of the administration delegation – departing Parliament House with a document in his hand, with media reports suggesting he was probable to consult the president.

More than an hour afterwards, footage demonstrated Naqvi returning to Parliament House, with the interior minister maintaining his silence as reporters swarmed him for queries.

Meanwhile, the session, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was aimed at defusing the country's ongoing political crisis. The PTI's planned Oct 4 protest march, aimed at demanding Imran's release, has emerged as the latest point of contention between the party and the federal administration.

Even as extended discussions kept hopes for an agreement alive, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi remained adamant on proceeding with PTI's march to Islamabad.

After voicing his determination on Saturday afternoon – which irked administration representatives – the KP CM again took to X at 12: 46am to detail the itinerary for the protest march.

Laying out the journey plan, Afridi remarked PTI supporters from the districts of Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat will join the long march from Lakki Marwat's Gandi Chowk Lakki Marwat at 1pm on Oct 4.

For context, the caravan will halt for the night near Karak, from where individuals will depart at 12: 30pm the next day and stay overnight near Kohat.

Then, at 12pm on Oct 6, protesters from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai will join the convoy. It will move towards Peshawar and spend the night near Mattani.

For context, the KP CM's post continued that the caravan will depart from Budh Bair in Peshawar on Oct 7 afternoon. "The remaining constituencies of Peshawar will join us at Kohat Road Bridge and the Motorway Toll Plaza. And we will spend the night near Charsadda Interchange."

Refraining from detailing the final leg of the trip to the federal capital, Afridi remarked the residents "of entire KP" would gather at Khairabad on Oct 8 and spend the night there. "God willing, the plan for the next phase will be announced there." NA speaker hopes for 'cordial' discussions.

When the huddle began, the NA speaker expressed his hope that the discussions would proceed in the same "cordial atmosphere" as Friday's, according to a post on the NA's X account.

For context, the administration side included Naqvi, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry.

Rehman, along with MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, represented the PPP.

In practice, the opposition delegation comprised the Senate opposition leader, PTI interim chairman Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Chief Whip Amir Dogar, MNA Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh.

Prior to the session with the administration, the opposition held a session in which standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the negotiations were finalised.

It was decided that it would be proposed during the session that no one from either side would speak to the media during the negotiations and that a joint statement would be issued afterwards to avoid any misunderstanding.

Speaking to Dawn, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousufzai remarked comments produced by PPP's Rehman on Friday had triggered a controversy, leaving the situation unpleasant until late at night.

"The opposition alliance held a session before the start of the negotiations, during which the administration side's views regarding the law and order situation in KP were discussed. After consultation with the KP chief minister, a response was prepared. It will be presented to the administration side during the gathering today, " he noted.

For the first time in almost three years, representatives of the federal administration and the opposition PTI formally came together on Friday for negotiations aimed at easing the political tension in the country, and apprised each other of their positions.

Though neither side had shared its specific demands with the media, both were hopeful of a positive outcome from the session.

While the administration has insisted that the opposition call off its protest march on Islamabad, sources on both sides informed Dawn that the PTI wants Imran to be shifted from jail to a hospital for medical treatment.

In August, PTI confirmed a long march to Islamabad on Sept 27 against what it called the "illegal imprisonment" of its party founder. Nevertheless, a couple of days before its scheduled long march, the party postponed the march until Oct 4. Tariq Fazal objects to KP CM's remarks.

He remarked PTI was the largest and most popular political party in Pakistan. "Pakistan is a democratic country whose Constitution grants us the right to peaceful protest."

Detailing his long march plan, Afridi remarked an "ocean of people" would commence its journey from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1pm on Oct 4.

For context, the party would continue its struggle until the supremacy of the Constitution and the law was ensured in Pakistan and an independent judiciary was restored, the PTI leader continued.

Taken together, the developments around after hours of negotiations, second round of govt-opposition talks ends in a point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.