Pakistan government holds talks with Imran Khan's party to defuse tensions ahead of long march to Islamabad
The Pakistani government and Imran Khan's PTI party have entered negotiations to address political tensions ahead of a planned long march to Islamabad. PTI is demanding better medical care for the jailed former Prime Minister and the release of detained party members.
Why it matters
The outcome of these talks is crucial for the stability of Pakistan's political landscape and the prevention of potential civil unrest.
The federal government and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks on Friday (October 2, 2026) to defuse political tensions ahead of the Opposition party's planned long march to Islamabad.
The developments come a week after the party announced that its long march to Islamabad would start on October 4, postponing it by a week.
The negotiations were being held in the chamber of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who was facilitating the dialogue between the two sides.
A six-member government delegation, led by Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, is participating in the talks.
The delegation also includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is represented by Syed Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman and Aijaz Jakhrani.
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