Talks between the Pakistani government and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have ended without an agreement, as the party prepares to launch a planned march towards Islamabad on Sunday, 4 October, calling for the release of its imprisoned founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on X that the march would begin at 1pm local time from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, North and South Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are expected to join the procession.
According to the announced schedule, the convoy is expected to spend its first night near Karak before proceeding through Kohat and Peshawar in the following days. On 8 October, participants from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are scheduled to gather at Khairabad to decide on the next stage of the march.
The latest round of talks between the government and the opposition ended without a breakthrough, despite several hours of discussions.
PTI is using the planned march to press for Khan’s release, access to medical treatment and a review of restrictions on meetings with him. Government officials, meanwhile, have warned that protesters will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
