The key issue behind the deadlock in negotiations between the government and the opposition has emerged, with talks likely to continue late into Saturday night as both sides try to reach an agreement.
A third round of talks could also be held on Sunday before the agreement is formally signed.
Sources said the two sides had agreed on most of the terms of the proposed agreement. However, the demand for a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan before giving any guarantee regarding the implementation of the decisions has emerged as the main sticking point.
The two sides are consulting each other to resolve the deadlock. According to sources, the government has agreed to allow Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Achakzai to meet Imran Khan.
The proposal has also reportedly received the support of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The government has asked the PTI to call off its long march first. The opposition, meanwhile, raised the issue of the release of Imran Khan’s sisters and demanded the immediate release of all PTI parliamentarians and workers.
Mahmood Achakzai told the PTI negotiating team that the long march would not be postponed before a meeting with Imran Khan. He also called for a meeting between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the former prime minister before any decision is taken.
The opposition leader assured the negotiating team that whatever is discussed during the meeting between Sohail Afridi and Imran Khan would remain confidential.
He said that if Imran Khan delivered a tough message, the delegation would then return for another meeting. The PTI, he maintained, wants to meet its founder before providing any guarantee regarding a final decision.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi left Parliament House with a draft of the proposed agreement between the government and the opposition.
Sources said Naqvi would brief President Asif Ali Zardari on the progress of the negotiations during a meeting at the President House.
