• JI to launch its march towards Islamabad today after inconclusive talks in Lahore
• PTI claims Naqvi requested them to cancel protest, but insists no decision without Imran’s nod
• Islamabad administration reviews security, to enforce law ‘without discrimination’
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The opposition parties on Saturday reiterated their resolve to march on the federal capital despite efforts by the government to dissuade them from their demos, as it made strict security arrangements to prevent marchers from entering the city.
The JI has planned to launch its march towards Islamabad today to press the government to end the fuel levy, while the PTI is scheduled to stage its protest in the capital on Sept 27 for the release of Imran Khan, among other demands.
JI launches march today
Besides a court order that barred any political party from blocking roads in the name of protest, the government also engaged both parties to prevent the protest, but talks remained inconclusive.
On Saturday, a government delegation, including PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, and Salman Rafique, called on the JI leadership at its Mansoorah headquarters in Lahore, but the meeting failed to break the deadlock.
During the talks, the government delegation asked the JI to postpone the long march in view of security threats. However, JI leader Liaquat Baloch said the long march would remain necessary until the levy imposed on the public was withdrawn.
The government assured the party that relief would be provided to the people soon. It also said that the government was under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that an IMF delegation was expected to visit Pakistan shortly. However, talks did not prove fruitful.
In an earlier press conference, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that their protest caravans from across the country would begin moving toward the capital on Sunday. “If the rulers cannot abolish the levy, we cannot call off our march,” he said, demanding a concrete proposal from the government to abolish the petroleum levy. He said the JI had already rejected the government’s fuel relief package as inadequate.
The JI chief said the government had again contacted the party for talks, but repeatedly sought more time. “If the government does not listen to talks, it will have to listen to public pressure,” he said.
PTI sticks to its guns
Meanwhile, the PTI adopted a similar stance and said it turned down a request from the government to postpone its Sept 27 march. Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said only PTI founder Imran Khan had the authority to postpone the protest. In a tweet, Mr Abbas claimed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had called on him and that the latter was informed only Imran could postpone the September 27 protest. “No one can minus Imran,” he wrote.
Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousufzai told Dawn that the meeting was held on September 14 on Mr Naqvi’s request. He added that Mr Abbas and PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan attended the meeting on the opposition’s side.
“During the meeting, an offer was made that all the demands would be accepted if the opposition alliance cancels the long march. However, he (Naqvi) was informed that the long march cannot be cancelled as only Imran Khan can take such a decision. It was demanded to arrange a meeting with Imran, but leaders could not get a positive response,” he explained.
Replying to a question, Mr Yousufzai said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also met TTAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, in which it was decided that the long march would be held ‘come what may’. He said the PTI protest would also focus on other issues, such as price hike, corruption, new provinces, and law and order.
Addressing a presser at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, Mr Abbas said, “He [Naqvi] came to meet [us]. We have stated our stance and they will find out … that no individual can postpone the Sept 27 march without a meeting with Imran Khan sahib.” He asserted, “Imran Khan cannot be minused; we will not let Imran Khan sahib be minused. Therefore, no issue can be resolved without a meeting with Imran Khan sahib.”
Raja Nasir Abbas said providing basic facilities to the people and protecting their constitutional rights were major issues. He said that even a senior federal minister had acknowledged that the country’s system had “collapsed”.
Separately, KP CM Afridi met NA Opposition Leader Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas to discuss the PTI’s upcoming protest. In a post on X, he wrote, “Detailed political consultations regarding the call for September 27 were held during the meeting, and various aspects of the future course of action, political strategy, and advancing the democratic struggle in an effective manner were discussed.”
Security Dialogue cancelled
In a separate development, Pakistan Security Dialogue 2026, which was scheduled to take place in Islamabad, was also cancelled by organisers without assigning any official reason.
“I regretfully announce that PIPS’ upcoming Pakistan Security Dialogue has been cancelled following the cancellation of visas for most of the foreign delegates and Serena Hotel’s cancellation of all bookings, citing security reasons. No written explanation has been provided yet,” Amir Rana wrote on LinkedIn.
Admin reviews security
Ahead of the potential long marches, Islamabad police chief Sohail Chaudhry and Commissioner Mohammad Usman reviewed security and law and order arrangements at major entry and exit points and other key locations, APP reported. It may be noted that hundreds of containers have been placed at the city’s entry points as the administration braced for back-to-back protests.
During the visit, the chief commissioner said maintaining law and order was a top priority and stressed that citizens, traders, businesses, professionals and government employees should be able to carry out their lawful activities without unnecessary disruption.
He said the law would be enforced without discrimination and that action would be taken in accordance with the law against activities that threatened pu blic peace or disrupted routine life.
The officials also reviewed security arrangements at sensitive locations and directed field officers to remain alert and ensure a timely response to any law and order situation.
Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026
