PTI-led opposition calls off Islamabad rally after talks with govt

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led opposition has called off its planned public rally scheduled for April 9 in Islamabad after successful talks with the government on Wednesday, sources said.

Sources said the opposition agreed to cancel the gathering following a request from the government.

The development followed a meeting between government and opposition representatives held in Parliament, aimed at reducing political tensions and keeping dialogue channels open.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif represented the government side, while opposition leaders including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Barrister Gohar and Junaid Akbar participated in the talks. Senior political figures Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar and Aminul Haq and others were also present.

Following the discussions, the opposition agreed to call off its rally, sources said, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill after constructive engagement between both sides.

Officials said both sides stressed the importance of continued dialogue to address political differences and maintain stability. The meeting is being seen as a positive step towards easing tensions between the government and opposition in Parliament.

Meanwhile, authorities in Islamabad have declared a two-day public holiday on April 9 and 10, according to an official notification.

All government offices in the federal capital will remain closed during the period. However, essential services have been exempted, with key institutions directed to continue operations to ensure public convenience.

The Islamabad Capital Territory administration, Capital Development Authority and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad will continue to function as usual. Law enforcement and utility services, including Islamabad Police, power distributor IESCO, Sui gas company and hospitals, will remain operational, authorities said.

The government said the decision was aimed at minimising disruption and ensuring the availability of critical services.

Separately, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and US Vice President JD Vance are expected to lead their respective delegations at high-level talks in Islamabad on Friday, as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran opens a narrow window for diplomacy.

Iran’s state news agency ISNA reported that Ghalibaf would head Tehran’s negotiating team, while Vance is likely to represent the United States, marking a rare high-level engagement after weeks of tensions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a 45-minute telephone conversation in which they discussed the ceasefire, upcoming talks and regional developments, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sharif congratulated the Iranian leadership on agreeing to the ceasefire and praised their “wisdom and foresight” in opting for de-escalation. He also expressed respect for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and reiterated Pakistan’s support for lasting peace efforts.

The Pakistani premier formally offered to host negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad this week, an offer accepted by Iran.