• Marri criticizes the establishment of a maritime authority without PPP input and demands an ICC meeting
• Minister claims to have met Sindh CM and other PPP leaders to onboard them
ISLAMABAD: Already at odds with the PML-N over how to govern the country, the PPP on Sunday opposed the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime and Ports Authority by the federal government and reminded the Shehbaz-led government of its crucial support in sustaining the government.
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 restore trust apparently failed to put an end to these disagreements.
A Sunday statement by PPP leader Shazia Marri once again highlighted these disagreements, as the PPP leader criticized the PML-N-led government for not consulting the PPP on key decisions, including the establishment of the Authority. Maritime and Port of Pakistan. He said that “the survival of the government depends on the support of the PPP.”
“While we have said time and again that the federal government has the support of the PPP, the day we withdraw that support, the federal government will collapse,” he warned, adding: “Perhaps the PML-N does not realize this “.
“Both the Sindh government and the Pakistan People’s Party were unaware of the decision to establish the authority,” he said.
Marri said his party had also demanded a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which had not been convened for the past eleven months. “The Constitution is being constantly and openly violated,” he said, adding that the prime minister was “constitutionally obliged to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests within three months.”
“The opinion and question of the establishment of the Maritime and Port Authority must be brought to the Council of Common Interests,” he said rhetorically, asking whether it was “wise to sabotage the Constitution on important national issues, without trusting allies and provinces.” ”.
The PPP spokesperson termed the Centre’s approach “beyond comprehension” and would only widen the gap between the two allies. “The opinion of the allies and the provinces must be taken into account before the recommendations of the working group on the maritime sector, maritime affairs and the KPT proposals,” he added, highlighting that it would be “better for everyone” if the country will be governed according to the Constitution. and legal principles.
However, Maritime Affairs Minister Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh said PPP leaders, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, were taken into account regarding the formation of the PMSA.
“I have already spoken to Murad Ali Shah about the issue and two PPP leaders, Mehreen Bhutto and Asad Niazi, spent a whole day with me on Saturday and we discussed the issue,” the minister said.
“I live in Karachi and will keep PPP leaders and the Sindh government informed on the issue,” he said, adding that a working group for the PMSA was formed that included all stakeholders.
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. .
Published in Amanecer, January 6, 2025.
