First round of talks between govt, opposition end as PTI’s Oct 4 protest looms over Islamabad

First round of discussions between govt, opposition end as PTI's Oct 4 protest looms over Islamabad.

Key points

• Syed Irfan Raza Published October 2, 2026 Updated October 2, 2026 08: 22pm.
• The opposition was represented by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Abbas, Amir Dogar, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja.
• The decision came after a session at President House attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other party leaders.
• In an earlier post on X, the Tehreek-I-Tahafuz-Ayin-I-Pakistan remarked the opposition side was being led by the leader of the opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
• According to She, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had stated the party's stance on the long march and that the PTI had to call it off "unconditionally".

Syed Irfan Raza Published October 2, 2026 Updated October 2, 2026 08: 22pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Meanwhile, the first round of discussions between the PTI-led opposition and the ruling coalition over the party's proposed Oct 4 long march concluded on Friday, with both sides agreeing to resume the dialogue on Saturday.

In practice, the session between administration and opposition representatives, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was aimed at defusing the country's ongoing political crisis. It comes ahead of the the PTI's planned Oct 4 protest march demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan. It has emerged as the latest point of contention between the party and the federal administration.

According to a statement issued by the NA Secretariat, the participants held detailed discussions "on the prevailing political situation and exchanged views on various matters of national importance".

"The administration, PPP and opposition representatives apprised each other of their respective positions and held a detailed exchange of views in a constructive and cordial manner. The participants emphasised the need to resolve national problems through dialogue and negotiations, " it stated.

Meanwhile, the statement continued that the second round of negotiations would be held on Saturday at 2pm in the NA speaker's chamber.

"NA Speaker Sadiq played a key role in facilitating dialogue among the government, PPP and opposition, " the statement remarked.

For context, the delegations were welcomed by Speaker Sadiq upon their arrival. "I am only playing the role of a mediator, " he remarked.

Sadiq remarked his office was "always open" to resolving matters through negotiations and that he had consistently invited the opposition to engage in dialogue. He maintained that negotiations were the only way to resolve differences and problems, adding that positions and offices were temporary.

"Parliament is the only forum where solutions to issues can be found, " he remarked.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry attended the session, along with PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and National Assembly members Syed Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani.

For context, the opposition was represented by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Abbas, Amir Dogar, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja.

As the PTI remains resolute to go ahead with the march, federal ministers have cautioned that the Centre would have no other option but to impose governor's rule or emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in light of the security situation in the province and the PTI's protest call.

For its part, the opposition party has cautioned the administration of dire consequences if such a decision is imposed. 'PTI will have to call off its march'.

Speaking to the media after the session, PPP's Rehman stated the party believed in resolving problems through negotiations.

"They will have to call it off rather than postponing or deferring, " she remarked.

"Both parties have time; we will meet tomorrow. We will try to conclude this by tomorrow, " she stated.

Talking regarding the opposition's noted demand of facilitating a session with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, she remarked she could not answer the question. Nevertheless, she stated the opposition had asked for time and "we should respect it".

"A political and democratic attitude requires sitting at the negotiation table and resolving the issues through dialogue, " she stated.

Afterwards, Bilawal welcomed the government's decision to work with his party and jointly engage with the opposition "to find political solutions to political problems".

"The challenge of terrorism has become an existential threat to Pakistan, particularly given the active support these groups receive from neighbouring countries, " he wrote on X.

For context, the PPP chief expressed hope that the discussions would conclude with the opposition unconditionally calling off the long march. It would allow the country to come together to address the threat of terrorism and those from neighbouring countries.

"The PPP has been, and will always remain, committed to combating terrorism through any and all constitutional means, " he continued. 'Govt should engage with integrity'.

In practice, the Senate opposition leader, speaking to the media at his office during a break in discussions with the administration, noted the administration should engage with the opposition "with integrity" and take steps towards resolving the problems.

"If the government cares about the political crisis, then it should sit with the opposition with integrity and step forward to find a solution, " Abbas remarked.

Regarding PTI's long march, he remarked the call would remain "intact" until a solution was identified.

"Negotiating is the way of political leaders; negotiations could resolve gigantic issues and war, " he remarked, adding that "it, however, depends on the government's intention".

As the other party to the negotiations, genuinely wanted to resolve the matters, he questioned whether the administration.

"They are in government and it is their responsibility to maintain peace, resolve crises, and ensure economic stability, " he remarked.

Abbas reiterated that the outcome depended on how "autonomous" the administration was and whether it had the "intent" to pursue negotiations.

Speaking to the media after the discussions, PTI Chairman Gohar stated that both parties had shared their stances on "all the issues".

Regarding negotiations with the administration, he went on that "Abbas and Mehmood Khan Achakzai have the mandate for these things".

During an opposition alliance session yesterday, he stated, the party had decided to attend the discussions with the administration and offer their stance if it called on the opposition.

"The positive aspect of this talk is that it is still continuing and we'll meet again tomorrow, " he remarked, adding that tomorrow's negotiations would be held by the same opposition committee that held them today.

Asked what the party would do if the PTI were to gain access to Imran and he were to once again call for a long march, he remarked: "We always act upon the directions given by Khan sahab."

Notably, a day earlier, it emerged that a joint delegation of the PPP and the administration would hold a gathering with the PTI leadership on Friday, during which the "current political situation" in the country would be discussed with the opposition.

Meanwhile, the decision came after a session at President House attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other party leaders.

Taken together, the developments around first round of talks between govt, opposition end as PTI's Oct 4 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.