The ongoing row between the PPP and PML-N intensified on Tuesday when PPP deputy senator Sherry Rehman warned the coalition ally of difficulties in the Senate without the former’s “clear support”.
The PPP and the PML-N’s Punjab leadership have been engaged in a war of words for the past few days over issues ranging from flood compensation to water rights in the context of the Cholistan canal project. The PPP, which is in power in Sindh, has been particularly outraged by comments from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, whose party also leads the federal government.
Speaking about the matter in an interview in dawnnewstv Shows ‘Doosra Rukh’, PPP senior vice president said, “If you want to tear up the entire coalition, then I have already said in the National Assembly that they do not take our inclusion in the treasury benches for granted and don’t think that we will keep you stable no matter what you do.”
“If you don’t need [us] So that is your choice, but let me remind you that we are the largest party in the Senate and it will be very difficult for you without the clear support of the PPP.”
“Forgiveness and apologies are one thing, but my feelings and those of every supporter are not hurt when you make the senior leadership, our president and his sister, the targets of unreasonable criticism,” he further said.
“What coalition is this and where do you want to take it? What are the objectives? Such questions will arise then.”
The senior PPP leader added that the issue was not one between Sindh and Punjab, but between the Federation and the people, saying that 6.5 million people were affected by the recent floods.
Rehman criticized how the PPP’s suggestion of providing relief to flood victims through the Benazir income support program became a conflict issue between Sindh and Punjab.
“How is it a Sindh and Punjab problem?
He also lashed out at the criticism and accusations leveled at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for his performance as Foreign Minister, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had acknowledged and praised his work from start to finish.
“Then the question arises, who are you really weakening?”
Rehman also noted Bilawal’s recent appointment as head of the delegation presenting Pakistan’s stance to the world after the May conflict with India.
Interpreted on the PPP sitting on the opposition benches, Rehman said the issue would be decided by the Central Executive Committee as it was not a small decision to take and the party did not want to destabilize the government.
When asked if the party would no longer be part of any legislative process, the PPP leader maintained that the coalition partner should not “expect us to come and manage their houses and promote their business.”
‘You will need Bilawal, Zardari again’
PPP Senator Palwlawa Mohammad Zai Khan, addressing the media earlier, warned PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz that her party will need “Bilawal and Asif Zardari again” in the future.
“Remember that again you will need Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, again you will need Asif Ali Zardari, and that time is not far away.”
Taking another dig at the Punjab chief minister, the PPP senator said people’s hearts are not won by “putting up posters or banners, or advertising on Tiktok”. He added that performance is important, not advertising.
Palwlawa said that to win people’s hearts, images are not required; The performance is.
Furthermore, he said the PPP will continue to offer suggestions for better governance and will continue to ask questions as a coalition partner.
“Punjab is for all of Pakistan, and Punjab has not been conquered. Don’t try to become a martial law dictator there.” He added that the leader of the PPP.
Maryam defends her focus on Punjab
Separately, addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Maryam deflected criticism from PPP and said she would continue to talk about Punjab as she was the Chief Minister of the Province.
“If Maryam Nawaz Sharif does not speak for Punjab, who else will speak for Punjab?”
She further said that she wants other provinces to be as “clean and developed as Punjab”, making a veiled reference to the PPP government in Sindh.
The Chief Minister added that progress and prosperity were the right of every citizen and “one should not have to beg for it.”
‘Will support non-trust’
PTI leader and National Assembly President Asad Qaiser clarified that he mentioned a motion of no confidence in the PPP “if they are serious”.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party came out of the National Assembly session to express its reservations,” Qaiser said, adding that the situation will become clear if the PPP can really start the no-confidence movement or if it was just “friendly arson”.
“If a no-confidence motion is brought, PTI will support it,” he said. “We want to rid the people of this illegitimate government, which is a product of Form 47,” the former speaker maintained.
Qaiser further said that the PTI believes that as long as the incumbent government remains in power, “neither human rights, nor the law, nor the judiciary in Pakistan will be safe.”
He said, therefore, it is necessary to establish a strong democratic system in the country “so that democracy can flourish, the rule of law can prevail and the supremacy of the constitution can be maintained.”
‘PPP should not lecture PML-N on democracy’
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari, reacting to the PPP leaders’ statements, said today that “on one hand, they are talking about ceasefire and on the other hand, they are coming out every hour for aerial firing.”
He added that such dual signaling of the PPP does not send a serious message of reconciliation and further stated that the current behavior of the coalition partner does not show political maturity.
Bokhari stressed that PPP leaders should not lecture the PML-N on democracy. “They have never carried the burden of democracy on their fragile shoulders; this burden has been carried by our leadership and workers for years.”
“It is the magnanimity of our party and our leadership that, despite personal attacks, we continue to show patience and restraint.”
“It is the high character of our party and our leadership that, despite personal attacks, we continue to show silence and patience,” he added.
The Provincial Minister maintained that the PML-N does not want to turn political differences into a confrontation, but “continuous silence in the face of unilateral attacks is not possible.”
