Contact Continues Amid Political Tensions
Backchannel communication between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is reportedly continuing despite the breakdown of formal government-PTI talks. According to The News, the two have had another meeting as the PTI-led march toward Islamabad gets underway. The contact is being viewed in the context of efforts to prevent further confrontation and keep possible avenues for dialogue open.
Formal Talks Have Collapsed
The latest contact comes after formal negotiations between the government and PTI failed to produce an agreement. Earlier rounds of talks involved senior representatives from both sides, with Naqvi representing the government and Gohar among the opposition participants. The negotiations covered political demands, security concerns, and the planned PTI march.
Gohar Has Confirmed Communication
Gohar previously confirmed that he remained in contact with Naqvi but declined to disclose details of their communication. He said PTI had not hidden its political contacts and maintained that dialogue remained an option for resolving political differences. At the same time, he stressed that major decisions by the party were subject to the directions of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Talks Remain a Possibility
In recent statements, Gohar has continued to say that PTI is not opposed to negotiations but wants them to take place without conditions. He has also argued that political problems cannot be resolved by simply walking away from the negotiating table. These comments indicate that, despite the failure of formal talks, communication between the two sides has not completely stopped.
March Adds to Political Pressure
The ongoing contact comes as the PTI-led march has begun moving toward Islamabad. The development has increased pressure on both the government and opposition to find a way to manage the confrontation. Reports of continued communication between Naqvi and Gohar suggest that informal channels may remain active even while public political positions remain sharply different.
Naqvi Played Role in Negotiations
Mohsin Naqvi has been part of the government’s negotiating team during recent discussions with PTI. Government-opposition talks were held under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, with Naqvi among the senior government representatives. The interior minister also briefed participants on security concerns during the negotiations.
What Happens Next?
The continuation of backchannel communication could keep open a possible route for renewed political engagement, although no new formal agreement has been announced. For now, the government and PTI remain divided over key issues while the march continues. Any future breakthrough will depend on whether informal contacts can lead to another round of structured negotiations.
