Backchannel contacts between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf remain active despite the breakdown of formal negotiations over PTI’s march towards Islamabad. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi are in contact to explore ways of reducing tensions.
The latest development was another meeting between Gohar and Naqvi, held after formal talks failed and the march departed for Islamabad under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The meeting carries significance against the backdrop of statements exchanged by the two sides. Government and PTI representatives had held extensive negotiations over the preceding days in an effort to prevent the march.
According to reports, substantial progress was made on several political and legal issues. However, disagreements over counterterrorism measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ultimately prevented the talks from producing an agreement.
Sources familiar with the contacts said the failure of formal negotiations should not be interpreted as a complete end to political communication.
Continued contact between Gohar and Naqvi suggests that both sides want to keep a channel open, particularly to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
The government’s principal concern remains that Islamabad should not again become the centre of a prolonged political confrontation involving road closures and a sit-in.
PTI, meanwhile, has continued to link its political confrontation to demands concerning Imran Khan. These include access for his family and lawyers, along with relief in his legal and prison-related matters.
A mechanism addressing some of these issues was reportedly agreed upon during the earlier negotiations.
The latest contact between Gohar and the interior minister indicates that a political route remains open despite the end of formal talks and the start of the march.
