Fifth Round of Government-JI Talks Ends Without Breakthrough, Liaqat Baloch Declares Long March Inevitable Until Levy Is Abolished
ISLAMABAD : The fifth round of high-stakes talks between the federal government delegation and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has ended without any resolution, with the government delegation asking for the postponement of the long march it had planned due to grave security risks.
In the talks, the government representatives gave assurances to the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership about unprecedented measures on public relief in the near future, while also pointing out that there were pressures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a pending visit of the IMF delegation to Pakistan.
Liaqat Baloch reiterates pledge of continuing ‘Long March’ as planned.Liaqat Baloch Asserts that ‘Long March’ will proceed as scheduled.
In reply to the government’s appeals, senior JI leader Liaqat Baloch reiterated his strong stance warning the government of making unrealistic promises to its people.
If the government is not ready to take any practical steps to respond to the public demands, then there is no doubt that there will be protests, and even the long march. Baloch said the long march is both absolute and inevitable, till the complete abolition of the levy. He has acknowledged that in the scheduled timeframe, the JI Ameer-led SLM would start tomorrow from Karachi.
Activities for Delegation Members and Official Participants.Activities for Delegation Members and Official Participants.
High level talks involved key leaders on both sides. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique formed the government delegation.
Meanwhile, Naib Ameer Liaqat Baloch, Nazeer Ahmed Janjua (Acting Secretary General), Umair Idris, Ziauddin Ansari and Shakeel Ahmed Turabi represented Jamaat-e-Islami.