Government and PTI’s Initial Steps Towards Negotiations Amid Protest Threats

Ansar Abbasi Column

Islamabad: After initial contact between the government and PTI, two meetings have been held. The purpose of these meetings is to explore the possibilities of initiating formal negotiations.

Following initial contact a few days ago, these two meetings took place. The objective was to consider the potential for starting formal discussions. If both parties agree to negotiate, it could mark a significant breakthrough and potentially lead to PTI withdrawing its call for the protest march on November 24.

If the individuals involved in the consultative process agree on starting formal negotiations, they will seek final approval from their respective leadership. For PTI, the representatives will get approval from Imran Khan.

On the government’s side, the representative currently engaging with PTI will seek approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Since Shehbaz Sharif’s government is seen as a puppet regime, it will also require the establishment’s consent for negotiations.

Most members of the federal cabinet, including senior figures within the government, are unaware of these negotiations. However, Imran Khan is well-informed about the situation and knows which of his party members are involved in these discussions. It is unclear who else within PTI is aware of this development.

After the initial contact, two meetings between the two sides have been held. One meeting had only two participants—one representative from each side. In the second meeting, three individuals participated. These are high-level interactions.

If there is a breakthrough, the negotiation process will officially begin. However, there will be no direct communication between PTI and the establishment at this stage.

Both sides understand that PTI’s demands will not be accepted upfront, nor will the negotiation process depend on such preconditions.

While PTI may express its demands politically, its founding chairman and those involved in the negotiations understand that immediate acceptance of these demands is not feasible.

Sources indicate that during the negotiation process, both sides will present their respective demands, which, if a breakthrough is achieved, will be shared with the top leadership.

We know the names of the three individuals currently engaged in these pre-negotiation talks, but sources have insisted that their names not be disclosed for now.

Those within PTI denying this news should question their leaders—Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan—about the special two-hour meeting they had with Imran Khan on Tuesday.

Once again, on Wednesday, these two key PTI leaders met Imran Khan to discuss the progress of the pre-negotiation talks. Who arranged these meetings?