PM, president agree to send govt-PPP delegation for talks with PTI

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday discussed the overall political and security situation in the country, with a particular focus on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to an official statement.

The president and the prime minister stressed the need to further strengthen the national resolve against terrorism and emphasised effective coordination among relevant institutions to ensure peace and stability in the country.

The meeting came amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government over the security situation and the PTI’s planned October 4 long march on Islamabad.

The federal government has been considering various constitutional and legal options, including emergency measures and governor’s rule, although no formal decision on either measure had been announced at the time of the meeting.

Govt, PPP to meet PTI leadership

The president and the prime minister also decided that a joint delegation of the federal government and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would meet PTI leadership on Friday to discuss the prevailing political situation.

The delegation will include Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam from the federal government, while PPP leaders Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani will also participate.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Sherry Rehman and Salim Mandviwalla also attended the meeting, along with Sindh ministers Sharjeel Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

The consultations come as the government seeks to defuse tensions surrounding the PTI’s planned march.

Adviser Rana Sanaullah earlier said that “off-the-record” talks between the government and PTI were already under way regarding the October 4 protest.