‘First round of PTI-govt talks end inconclusively’

PTI’s convoy reaches Islamabad amid violent clashes with police

Bushra urges marchers to continue protest until release Khan

Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD: The first round of talks between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended inconclusively, as PTI convoys led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader, Omar Ayub, entered Islamabad.

In a video shared on PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa X handle, a large convoy can be seen heading towards Islamabad with protesters carrying PTI flags.

According to media reports, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held negotiations with PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on behalf of the federal government.

The sources said PTI stood firm on its demand to ensure the immediate release of PTI founder Imran, who has been behind bars since August last year.

The PTI leaders, insiders said, also rejected the government’s offer to hold a sit-in at the Parade Ground or Peshawar Mor in the federal capital. The interior minister will inform Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the talks with the PTI leaders, sources said.

They said there was a possibility of the next round of negotiations between the government and the PTI leaders.

The convoys, originating from the Hazara Interchange, are heading towards D-Chowk in Islamabad.

As the PTI convoy reached the Punjab boundary, the police started shelling on them at the Attock Bridge, Chach interchange and Ghazi Barotha canal areas. Later, Gandapur directed the convoy to stop at Ghazi Maqam for a while, urging the workers to get ready, because there was a “battle ahead”.

As the convoys advanced, they encountered heavy resistance from the police at the Ghazi Brotha Bridge, where intense shelling was reported.

Despite the police crackdown, Omar Ayub’s convoy managed to push back Punjab Police forces at the Hazara Interchange. Ali Amin Gandapur, who is leading the Hazara Division convoy, played a crucial role in helping the convoy break through the police barricades.

After overcoming the police blockade, the convoys continued their journey, with vehicles stretching over two kilometers as they moved forward. On the Hazara Motorway, PTI supporters successfully forced police to retreat, with reports of violent clashes and heavy stone-pelting.

Several police personnel were injured in the scuffles, and two officers were severely wounded and transferred to hospitals.

Meanwhile, PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has urged the supporters to continue their march on Islamabad until the release of the former prime minister, who remains incarcerated at Adiala jail.

The PTI supporters are rallying towards the federal capital on the call of their leader, Khan, to gather at D-Chowk in the capital and stay there until their demands are met. The release of jailed ex-premier among other issues is what party seeks.

The PTI founder’s wife, Bushra Bibi, also joined the PTI protest to boost the morale of party workers and addressed them to encourage their efforts. While speaking to participants accompanying her convoy near the Hazara Interchange, Bushra Bibi said that the march would not end until Khan was with them. She declared: “I will stand firm until my last breath. You must stand with me, and even if you don’t, I will continue because this is not just about my husband; it is about this country and its leader.” She further said: “I don’t just hope; I am certain that the Pashtun people are a proud nation, and they never abandon their support until the very end.”

Bushra Bibi concluded her brief speech from the container with a slogan to energise the crowd.