The PPP said Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured his main leadership to resolve his concerns about channel projects at a meeting in the middle of a period of tense relations between the two ruling allies of the coalition.
The differences between the PML-N, which heads the coalition, and the PPP has been slowly for months, since the key ally has expressed its frustration by the promises not fulfilled.
A meeting in December between the main leaders on both sides, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari, apparently could not end the disagreements. Even after that meeting, Senator PPP Salem Mandviwalla said that the directives issued by the Presidency were not being attended by the Prime Minister’s office.
The PPP has also repeatedly expressed concern about the construction of controversial channels in the Punjab area in the Cholistan area. He has asked for the immediate meeting of the Common Interests Council, which has been pending for 11 months, and has asked the channel problem to be there. The Sindh government states that new channels would reduce most of the water in the province and can convert the sterile cultivable land. President Zardari also attacked the government in today’s speech to a joint session of Parliament, criticizing it for its “unilateral” decision making and requesting that it leave the channel project, saying that it could not support it.
In the midst of that environment, a press release from the coalition ally said that Prime Minister Shehbaz organized a PPP delegation of senior leadership led by President Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for an Iphtar dinner in the home of the Prime Minister today.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the PPP to resolve their concerns regarding the controversial channels, maintain peace in the Kurram district and help victims of floods in Baluchistan,” says the press release.
However, a similar press release from the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) did not mention the guarantee of the prime minister with respect to the channels.
“The PPP delegation … raised objections and expressed reservations regarding the controversial project of channels. The delegation transmitted its concerns to the prime minister regarding the deterioration of the law and order in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khyberram district. The delegation also complained about the lack of help efforts for the victims of the flooding of Baluchistan, ”added the PPP press release.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated the leadership of the PPP for playing an “active and dynamic role in the fulfillment of public expectations in the four provinces” and the cooperation of the ally of the coalition with the federal government to improve the life of common citizens.
“The prime minister said that all political parties should work together to guarantee a better future for the Federation and the provinces,” said the press release.
Meanwhile, the PMO press release said the PPP expressed “full confidence in the government” under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz and praised the prime minister and his team for his “tireless efforts”, economic policies and financial stability resulting in the country.
He added that the PPP assured its full cooperation to the government in each step taken for the development of the country, economic stability and the improvement of the life of common citizenship.
“The PPP thanked the prime minister for his initiative to consult with the allies in government affairs, respect their opinions and take them in confidence.
“The PPP delegation reiterated its commitment to provide full support for the development of the country’s economy under the leadership of the prime minister,” concluded the press release.
