Islamabad, Dec 20 (IANS): The Pakistan government and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), has made progress in their resumed dialogue process, a media report said Saturday.

Speaking to the media after the talks, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday said that two sides had made progress in the meeting, which was aimed at resolving the issue of alleged rigging in the 2013 general election, Dawn online reported Saturday.

"The talks have continued from where they last ended," he said.

Qureshi stated that only an independent election commission could ensure free and fair election in the country.

He said that the talks also dealt with the formation a judicial commission to investigate alleged rigging in the poll last year.

Finance minister Ishaq Dar, who led the government's negotiating team, expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved between the two sides within the coming week.

"The dispute with the PTI is very close to being resolved," Dar said.

This was the third round of talks between the two sides.

It was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, but was cancelled due to the terrorist attack in Peshawar.