Formal Talks Take Center Stage as PTI-Government Backchannel Talks Stall

While the focus is on formal negotiations, backchannel talks between the government and PTI have stopped.

A well-informed source revealed that since the meeting between both parties on the 19th of last month, no backchannel meetings have taken place.

In the last meeting, two important government figures participated, including a minister and an official.

PTI was represented by a senior party leader. According to the source, these backchannel contacts were active during the SCO summit and PTI’s November 24th Islamabad protest.

PTI had announced a protest at D-Chowk during the SCO summit.

Later, these backchannel talks became active again when PTI announced its final call for the Islamabad march on November 24.

Imran Khan had also agreed to the government’s proposal to halt the protest march in Sangjani (a suburban area of Islamabad).

However, Bushra Bibi led the march to D-Chowk, which culminated in the events of November 26.

The events of November 26 were a severe blow to the backchannel contacts, as the government concluded that PTI’s second-tier leadership was completely powerless, their words held no weight, and that Imran Khan did not listen to anyone within the party.

PTI, on the other hand, accused the government of firing on its protesters on November 26, while the government believed that PTI was inciting violence behind the protest.

Following PTI’s actions, a high-level backchannel meeting between the government and PTI took place in the third week of last month.

If PTI chose the path of reconciliation, it would have to make a clear policy shift and detach itself from the politics of the last few years.

Afterward, formal negotiations between the two parties began, but no further progress was made in the backchannel talks.

According to the source, attention is now focused on the formal negotiation process.