PML-N, PPP decide to jointly contest Punjab by-polls

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday decided to jointly contest the forthcoming Punjab by-polls, as the political temperature rises.

The agreement – whereby the PPP will support PML-N candidates – was reached after Hamza arrived at the Bilawal House and held talks with the former president.

Announcing the decision after the meeting, PPP Provincial Minister Ali Haider Gillani said that the matter of ministries in Punjab and their portfolios will also be resolved in another two to three days.

CM Hamza attended a luncheon hosted by Asif Ali Zardari which was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

According to a presser issued by the chief minister, issues of mutual interest, political situation and working relationships were discussed during the meeting. Mr Zardari congratulated Hamza Shehbaz on assuming the coveted office. The meeting agreed to contest the by-elections jointly.

The chief minister while talking on the occasion said that cooperation was a key in the journey of serving the people and asserted that the alliance was for public service.

“The PPP is our ally and we would work together. Consultations would continue to further improve the working relationship,” he said.

Provincial ministers Atta Tarar, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Ali, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Imran Goraya, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sharjeel Memon, Dr Asim Hussain, Provincial Ministers Syed Ali Haider Gilani and Syed Hassan Murtaza were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Syed Haider Gilani said that the two sides have discussed a wide range of issues ranging from politics to the economy and added that since the meeting was attended by the chief ministers of both Punjab and Sindh, issues of water distribution and border security issues were also discussed.

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He said that the issue of water distribution was discussed at length and will be addressed very soon. He further shared that there was a realisation that water scarcity was an issue confronted by both sides.

He said that Asif Ali Zardari passed on his advice on how to fix the economy of the country, adding that matters pertaining to agriculture were also discussed and both sides expressed their resolve to revive the agriculture sector of the country that was in dire need of government’s attention.

He said that PML-N has also sought PPP’s support for these elections, which the co-chairman has graciously accorded. He said that the issue of provincial ministries will be addressed in the coming days.

He said that PPP would be given five ministries in total and two advisories. He said that along with the extension of the cabinet, portfolios will also be allotted. He however insisted the issue of ministry was not discussed during the meeting. He said that the matter of power-sharing was between senior party leaders of both parties. He said that the meeting between the two sides lasted for 2.5 hours.

Later during a meeting with PPP parliamentary leaders of Punjab with Asif Ali Zardari, PPP leadership took the party's provincial hierarchy into confidence and communicated to them the decision taken by the party regarding elections.

A PPP insider said that PPP will be given the remaining ministries the second round, in the coming 48 to 72 hours. He said that there will be a third round of extensions after that as well.

He said the two advisories have been sought for Shehzad Chema and Rana Farooq Saeed by PPP. He said many party other leaders will be accommodated as well.