ISLAMABAD: The government-opposition negotiations, particularly between the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), ended without a breakthrough after several key disagreements prevented the two sides from reaching a final understanding.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the deadlock was linked to differences over PTI founder Imran Khan’s meeting with opposition leaders, the proposed long march and the issue of cooperation on counterterrorism measures.
Sources claimed that opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai maintained a firm position throughout the negotiations and repeatedly connected major decisions to a direct meeting with Imran Khan.
At one stage, the government was reportedly willing to facilitate a meeting between Barrister Gohar and Imran Khan. However, the dispute over postponing the long march and the lack of agreement on counterterrorism-related matters ultimately prevented the negotiations from moving forward.
Sources further claimed that differences within the opposition camp also complicated the process. While some opposition negotiators were reportedly prepared to move forward on certain issues, disagreements involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government remained unresolved.
Another major point of contention was the provincial government’s position on cooperation with the federal government in areas affected by terrorism. Government representatives maintained that progress on counterterrorism measures was essential for any broader agreement.
The long march also emerged as a major stumbling block. Mahmood Achakzai had publicly maintained that the march could not be postponed before a meeting with Imran Khan, while the government sought an assurance that the planned march would be called off.
Sources said the government negotiating team had shown flexibility on several issues, but differences over the long march, meetings with Imran Khan and counterterrorism commitments prevented a final agreement.
The negotiations eventually ended in a deadlock, with both sides maintaining different positions on the reasons for the breakdown. The claims regarding the role of Mahmood Achakzai and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government remain allegations attributed to sources, while PTI leaders have disputed attempts to place the entire responsibility for the failure on the provincial government.
