ISLAMABAD: More than half a dozen backchannel meetings between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and authorities over the past four to five weeks have failed to resolve the deadlock over the party’s proposed march towards Islamabad, sources said.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the contacts explored ways to create political space for PTI and avoid a confrontation over the planned mobilisation.
The central issue throughout the talks was whether PTI would call off the march rather than simply postpone it. Sources said the government and security authorities conveyed that political engagement and facilitation could be possible on certain issues, but agitation, violence, road blockades and marches would not be acceptable.
Call-off remains key sticking point
Sources said the other side wanted PTI to formally abandon the march, arguing that changing its date would not address security concerns linked to a large mobilisation travelling from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad.
They said even if the number of participants remained in the thousands, any untoward incident could quickly escalate the situation and undermine the political space created through the backchannel contacts.
The government has publicly opposed road blockades and disruption of routine life, while heightened security measures were introduced ahead of the original September 27 date.
Sources said Mahmood Khan Achakzai was also approached over the possibility of calling off the march.
According to the sources, Achakzai indicated that a call-off could become possible if arrangements were made for him to meet PTI founder Imran Khan in jail. The proposal, however, was not accepted.
The response, sources said, was that PTI should first call off the march. After that, matters involving meetings with Imran Khan, access to lawyers and his medical treatment could be facilitated within the applicable legal framework.
PTI considers alternatives
The backchannel contacts became more difficult following a series of statements by PTI leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that sources described as confrontational.
According to the sources, some statements were viewed by the government and security authorities as threatening and contributed to a harder position. PTI was subsequently conveyed a message that the march would be dealt with firmly if it went ahead.
The situation prompted discussions within PTI about possible alternatives if the party remained unwilling to cancel the mobilisation.
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One option reportedly considered was slowing the movement and bringing participants towards Islamabad gradually instead of organising a single large mobilisation.
However, sources said this proposal also failed to satisfy the other side.
The fundamental position conveyed to PTI was that there should be no march towards Islamabad and no circumstances in which a gathering could develop into a prolonged road blockade or confrontation.
No commitment to release Imran Khan
Sources said another important message conveyed during the backchannel contacts concerned the political timeline.
According to them, PTI was told that proceeding with the march could mean that any subsequent political process would not necessarily follow the timeline sought by the party. Instead, the timeline would be determined by the government and security authorities.
The discussions did not include any commitment to release Imran Khan, the sources said.
Possible areas of facilitation discussed during the contacts included access to lawyers, meetings with Imran Khan and arrangements concerning his medical treatment.
Despite repeated backchannel contacts over several weeks, the two sides have so far failed to reach an understanding on the proposed Islamabad march, with the question of a complete call-off remaining unresolved.
