ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government and opposition are due to meet in Islamabad today, Saturday, to resume their talks to end a political stalemate, a day before the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is due to begin a march demanding jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s release.

The talks come amid heightened political tensions between the federal government and PTI, which governs the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, over its planned march as well as governance and worsening militant violence in the province. Federal ministers have raised the possibility of governor’s rule, which would place provincial government functions under federal control, though no decision to impose it has been announced.

The government agreed to pursue talks after a Thursday meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that reviewed the political and security situation and expressed concern over conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI, meanwhile, said on Friday its Oct. 4 march remained on schedule. The party had postponed the march from Sept. 27 after authorities blocked routes toward Islamabad with shipping containers and deployed security forces.

Members of the ruling party and coalition partners, including Sherry Rehman and Amir Muqam, arrived at parliament ahead of a second round of talks with the opposition parties, which was initially scheduled to be held by 2pm on Saturday but has been delayed for some unforeseen reasons. Muqam said they were there to sit together with the opposition and share their views on various issues.

“We always believe in creating space for negotiated agreements and settlements. That is the democratic, constitutional way. And it gives a message of safety and consistency and stability to the country,” said Senator Rehman, a member of the government’s coalition partner Pakistani People Party.

“If they want to work something out, a way forward in Parliament, as opposed to the streets, then yes, of course, we will listen to them and move forward.”

On Friday, PTI leader Gohar Khan denied reports that harsh words had been exchanged during the negotiation session.

“The positive thing is that the talks are continuing,” he told the media after the first round of talks.

“Both sides informed each other of their positions.”

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also described the atmosphere as “very positive,” saying the two sides had agreed not to disclose details of Friday’s discussions.

“The very purpose of negotiations is to listen to one another and to find a political solution through dialogue, patience and tolerance,” he told reporters. “And we are moving in that direction.”

A National Assembly Secretariat statement said the talks, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, included detailed discussion of the country’s political situation and that the government, PPP and opposition representatives had presented their respective positions.

“So far the call for long march is intact,” PTI said in a statement earlier.

The timetable indicates Oct. 4 is the departure date, rather than the date protesters would reach Islamabad. The PTI statement did not specify when the march would arrive in the capital.