Responding to reservations raised by PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri about the government not consulting the party on key decisions, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said differences in a coalition government were inevitable, but they did not necessarily indicate a problem.
Already at odds with the PML-N over how to govern the country, differences between the two parties have been simmering for some time and a recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari to revive trust apparently failed to put end. to these disagreements.
A statement yesterday by PPP leader Marri put the spotlight back on these disagreements as she criticized the PML-N-led government for not consulting her party when making key decisions, which she said included the establishment of Pakistan Maritime and Port Authority. He said the government’s survival “depends on PPP support” and that the government would “collapse” if that support was withdrawn.
Responding to the PPP leader’s statement today, Iqbal, while speaking to journalists in Karachi along with Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, said “slight differences” were common when governments were formed through a coalition.
“These problems occur even in a house – between siblings, between husband and wife – but that does not mean they are a problem,” Iqbal said, adding that both sides had handled their differences amicably.
“The two main political parties in the country have different ideologies but a vision, so they have consensus,” he said. “That vision is Pakistan.”
He said both parties put aside their differences when it came to the development of the country.
“We need to keep our politics aside and both parties have to play their role,” he said, adding that understanding between the parties has existed since the democracy charter was signed.
“This is the beauty of Pakistani politics: that two parties with independent values have such maturity,” he said.
“Instead of damaging [the country] With their differences, they collaborate and can work for the future of the country,” he added.
He said that the internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan need the joint efforts of all.
“We do not need confrontational policies, we need political collaboration,” he added.
Tensions between the federal government and its ally the PPP have deepened, with senior party officials expressing a “lack of trust” in the federal government.
Issues such as internet restrictions, criticized by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as an attempt at censorship, have further strained ties.
Similarly, protests by PPP lawmakers in parliament, including a walkout over the absence of federal ministers, reflect the growing discord, although the PPP chief has urged continued engagement with the PML-N government.
Despite the differences between the two parties, observers believe that the presence of a common adversary, Imran Khan, will force them to collaborate to maintain the current setup, with the backing of the establishment, which is playing a crucial role in keeping this together. unlikely alliance. .