Govt and PTI Reach Understanding on October 4 March After Second Round of Talks

Islamabad, — October 3, 2026 — The federal government and the PTI-led opposition reached an understanding on Saturday after a second round of negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute over PTI’s planned October 4 march toward Islamabad. The breakthrough came during talks chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, but the final decision on the march remains linked to a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan. (Aaj News)

The negotiations followed a first round on Friday that ended without an agreement. Government representatives had sought cancellation of the October 4 protest, while the opposition had pressed for issues concerning Imran Khan and the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be addressed through negotiations. (Dawn)

During Saturday’s talks, the two sides worked on a framework under which PTI representatives would be able to meet Imran Khan. The meeting is expected to allow the party leadership to consult him before taking the final decision concerning the march. (Aaj News)

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a key figure in the opposition alliance, said the final decision could not be taken solely by the negotiating committee and stressed the need for a meeting with Imran Khan. He said PTI leaders should consult the party founder before any major decision on the protest. (Aaj News)

The government side has been seeking an end to the planned mobilisation as security preparations across Islamabad have intensified. Containers have been placed on major routes, while the continuing restrictions have also disrupted freight and passenger traffic in parts of the country. (Reuters)

The talks also come amid disagreements over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the negotiations, government representatives raised concerns about law and order and militant violence in the province, while opposition representatives argued that political negotiations should address the immediate political dispute rather than be tied to accusations against the provincial government. (Business Recorder)

PTI had previously maintained that the October 4 march would proceed unless negotiations produced meaningful progress. The party’s political and core committees had also discussed the possibility of postponing the march if talks resulted in a significant breakthrough. (Geo News)

As of Saturday night, the reported understanding does not amount to a final public cancellation of the October 4 march. The next decisive step is the proposed meeting between PTI leaders and Imran Khan, after which the party is expected to communicate its final position. (Aaj News)

The development nevertheless marks a shift from Friday’s deadlock, when the two sides had failed to reach agreement on the central dispute. The outcome of the Imran Khan meeting will determine whether the understanding reached in Islamabad translates into the withdrawal or further postponement of the planned mobilisation.