Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has again offered negotiations to the government. The party has also rejected reports linking its long march postponement to backchannel contacts.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party delayed its protest to give the government more time. He said the government could reconsider its current position during this period.

However, Raja said the government had not given any indication about its willingness to hold talks. He made the remarks while discussing the party’s political strategy.

The PTI had originally planned its long march towards Islamabad for September 27. The party later postponed the march until October 4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the revised date after a political committee meeting.

The party has demanded the release of its founder Imran Khan. It has also called for what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.

Raja said the recent wave of terrorism made dialogue between political sides more important. He said all sides should sit together and discuss the situation.

He also said political contacts did not necessarily have to become public immediately. Raja rejected the suggestion that backchannel communication caused the postponement.

Reports have meanwhile indicated that several contacts took place between PTI representatives and authorities. According to reports, more than six meetings were held during the previous four to five weeks.

Those contacts reportedly focused on finding a political solution to the ongoing confrontation. A key issue was whether the PTI would cancel or only postpone its planned mobilisation.

Sources cited by The News said the authorities conveyed that political space could be created for the party. However, they reportedly opposed protests involving violence, road blockades and major disruption.

The government had already introduced enhanced security measures before the original September 27 date. Rangers were deployed in Islamabad and parts of Punjab ahead of the planned march.

Meanwhile, the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has supported the revised October 4 protest call. The opposition alliance said it would participate with its allied parties.

A TTAP spokesperson said PTI was part of the opposition alliance. The spokesperson confirmed support for the October 4 activity.

The alliance has also discussed expanding its political agenda. It wants to include issues affecting different provinces and the wider country.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the opposition previously discussed creating a broader national agenda. He mentioned provincial rights and issues concerning Balochistan and Sindh.

He also said concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be included. Economic and political issues facing the country were also highlighted.

Abbas further claimed that Punjab currently has a large number of political prisoners. This remains his political claim and has not been independently established here.

He said opposition parties should raise these issues collectively. According to Abbas, a broader agenda could attract wider public support.

The latest developments come as the PTI prepares for the October 4 march. The party has maintained that its decision to postpone the protest was political rather than the result of backchannel negotiations.

In other news read more about ‘Petrol Would Cost Rs 500-600 Today If Jamaat-e-Islami Had Not Protested

Raja also reiterated the party’s willingness to engage in dialogue. The government has yet to publicly indicate that formal negotiations will begin.