Islamabad: The legislators belonging to the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP), an important partner in the ruling coalition, continued on Tuesday their criticisms of the federal budget for the next fiscal year, agreeing to the federal government about its alleged discriminatory policies towards the province of Sindh, governed by the party.
Participating in the general debate on the Federal Budget in the National Assembly, almost all members of the PPP spoken a similar speech in which the “injustices and excesses” committed by the center with the province of Sindh, when denying their due participation in the development plans.
The members of MQM-Pakistan, another key partner in the ruling coalition, also expressed their reservations on few allocations for several projects in Sindh, but at the same time they also attacked the SNDH government led by PPP, accusing it of ignoring Karachi.
PPP legislators mainly protested the “failure” of the federal government to deliver the projects that were being carried out by the now missing Department of Public Works (PWD) to the Government of Sindh.
PPP, MQM-P legislators collide with Sindh’s policy; The former son of Ex-PM Gilani seeks ‘liberation’ of the yoke of ‘Takht-i-Lahore’
They recalled that it had already been decided that all the projects managed by the PWD would be delivered to the provinces, but unlike the other three provinces, the decision did not apply in Sindh.
On the other hand, MQM-P legislators supported the federal government movement not to deliver the projects to the Sindh government, fearing that the provincial government cannot complete them.
The house witnessed verbal skirmishes between the PPP and the MQM-P legislators on the subject during the debate, since the two parties were accused of playing a role in the “destruction of Karachi.”
MQM-P members protested Shazia Marri’s speech when she indirectly hastened the party, stating that they would not allow anyone to separate Karachi from Sindh as “Karachi is not a personal property of anyone.”
Aasia Ishaque of the MQM-P was seen going to the PPP banks to register their protest and several PPP leaders stood up in their seats to avoid any possibility of a physical shock since Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was also sitting next to Mrs. Marri.
Nikhat Shakil de MQM claimed that both federal governments and Sindh’s were ignoring Karachi. She was of the opinion that if the federal government assumed the responsibility of completing some projects in Sindh, then the PPP should not make tone and cry.
However, Rai Hassan Nawaz, of the PTI, described the PPP-MQM Rift a drama, stating that the two parties criticized the federal budget, but at the end of the day, both would vote for the budget.
Sadiq Mem of PPP said it was true that his party was a partner in the ruling coalition and occupied some constitutional offices, but also had the mandate of the people of Sindh.
Abdul Qadir Gilani of PPP denounced the discriminatory policy of the Punjab government towards South Punjab, stating that the feeling of deprivation is increasing among people in the region.
He regretted that only three development schemes have been announced for the southern Punjab region, while some 40 plans for LaHore and Central Punjab had been announced.
“I don’t know when we get rid of Takht-I-Lahore [Lahore Kingdom]? But we will continue our fight, ”said Gilani, who is the son of the president of Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, in an apparent reference to the demand of a separated province of South Punjab.
The National Assembly will meet again today (Wednesday) at 11 am
Posted in Dawn, June 18, 2025
