Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has maintained its position on the issue of the proposed long march towards Islamabad. In the meeting of the political and core committee of the party, it was decided that the matter of canceling or postponing the protest program will be linked to a meeting with the founding chairman.
According to the sources, the party leaders gave a detailed briefing regarding the government negotiations in the late-night meeting. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja briefed the leadership about the discussions with the government and the current political situation.
The meeting also considered the apprehension that the federal government may take further steps against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government or the PTI if the long march continues. However, despite this situation, no agreement could be reached to end the protest program.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took a clear stand in the meeting that only the founding chairman can decide to postpone the long march. According to him, the meeting with the founder should also be included in the negotiations with the government.
This development has come in the backdrop of ongoing talks between the government and PTI. The two sides resumed talks on Saturday after initial talks on Friday. The aim of the talks is to discuss various issues to reduce political tension.
PTI had earlier announced a long march towards Islamabad on October 4. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also insisted on holding the march. He says that the party will continue the protest in a political and peaceful manner.
On the other hand, the government is insisting on ending the protest. In the current situation, both the negotiations and the long march process are progressing simultaneously. Therefore, the decisions that come out in the upcoming negotiations can have a direct impact on the protest program.
For PTI, the issue of meeting the founding chairman has become an important part of the negotiations at this time. If there is progress in this regard, the possibility of a change in the protest strategy can be discussed. However, the final decision will be clear from the upcoming consultation of the party leadership.
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