Govt, PTI ‘off-the-record talks’ underway over October 4 long march, says PM aide

• Sanaullah says govt ready to stop PTI march from entering Islamabad.
• Governor’s rule procedure is laid out in Constitution: PM’s aide.
• Says parliament holds authority over decisions concerning provinces.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are engaged in “off-the-record talks” over Imran Khan-founded party’s planned protest towards Islamabad on October 4.

“Off-the-record talks are ongoing with senior PTI leaders,” he said while speaking in Truth Wire’ morning show “Geo Pakistan” on Thursday.

The PTI had earlier postponed its planned long march towards the federal capital from September 27 to October 4. The former ruling party has said the protest is aimed at seeking the release of its jailed founding chairman and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.

Speaking on the morning show, the prime minister’s aide said arrangements have been made to prevent long march participants from entering Islamabad “if the PTI leadership does not call off the proposed protest”.

He also described a provincial government-led march towards Islamabad as a violation of constitutional and legal provisions.

Sanaullah, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s stalwart, also said the Constitution provided a procedure for imposing governor’s rule and that the option remained under consideration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the final decision would require the constitutional process and parliamentary approval.

On the role of social media in PTI’s decision-making, he said people operating from social media platforms were dictating the party’s course.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, he said, continued to provide guidance to the party and that his opinion and approval were sought on major matters.

Sanaullah added that decisions concerning the provinces rested with parliament, while the prime minister would state the government’s position when the matter came before parliament.

“When the matter comes before parliament, the prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] will give his position,” the PM adviser said, adding that Nawaz Sharif would also give his view when the issue reached the appropriate forum.