Government and PTI hold secret talks as Islamabad protest looms

In a televised interview, prime ministerial adviser Rana Sanaullah said the federal government is conducting off-the-record negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over its planned October 4 demonstration in Islamabad. He indicated that the decision to proceed rests with PTI’s senior leadership, while the government has prepared security measures to stop any march and may prevent PTI members from reaching the capital.

Sanaullah likened the protest to a provincial government attacking the federal centre and warned that such actions would not be tolerated. He also mentioned that governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the table, requiring Senate and parliamentary consent, and criticized the provincial chief minister for neglecting development and security duties. The government has already blocked key routes to the twin cities and signalled it could impose an emergency if the provincial leadership does not withdraw the plan.