ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, has stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘s long march will not be permitted to enter Islamabad.
Rana Sana remarked that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is unwilling to cooperate in playing a role against terrorism; however, negotiations could take place if they are willing to cooperate on counter-terrorism matters.
Speaking to the media, he noted that the demands rejected during the negotiations are clear. He added that the issue of meeting the PTI founder was not a major one, as the government had already expressed its willingness to allow such meetings.
Rana Sanaullah stated that no time has currently been set for future negotiations; the long march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad, and any form of unrest will be curbed in accordance with the law.
He emphasized that the core issue concerned the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating, “We demand that the provincial government play its role in combating terrorism.”
Outcome of Negotiations
It should be noted that the lengthy negotiations between the government and the opposition concluded without resolving the issue. The talks stalled over the issue of counter-terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; according to sources, the PTI remained reluctant regarding the government’s counter-terrorism strategy.
It was made clear that without progress on counter-terrorism, no further headway could be made. The negotiating team returned disappointed after an 11-hour session in the Speaker’s chamber.
Reason for the failure of negotiations
Meanwhile, sources within the government committee have claimed that the negotiations failed due to internal rifts within the Tehreek-e-Insaf; the party leadership had agreed on several points and was prepared to postpone the long march, but appeared helpless before the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the provincial government refused to undertake counter-terrorism operations under the federal plan.
