The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Punjab was exploiting its position in the province by demanding its pound of flesh and pressing for ministries it did not deserves, a senior PML-N parliamentarian said on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity.
"The PPP should abstain from punching above its weight by demanding much more than its actual share," the PML-N leader said, adding that the party was now salivating over five ministries after initially settling only for two.
"The party first jumped to three ministries from two, then four and now we are hearing five ministries."
He said that the PPP has only seven seats in Punjab Assembly and with only seven members in Punjab Assembly, the party desired five to be accommodated in ministries, and two non-elected members in advisories.
The leader acknowledge that the PPP had indeed played a crucial role in making the vote of no-confidence successful, "but this was sheer exploitation". He said that PML-N mid-tier leadership already had concerns about the party’s decision of succumbing to PPP pressure.
‘A breach of trust’
On the other hand, the PPP laments PML-N's ambivalent approach to distributing portfolios and remaining ministries, saying it was a "breach of understanding" that was reached prior to the no-confidence motion that helped remove PTI chief Imran Khan. The party claims the PML-N has reneged on its promises.
A PPP office-bearer revealed that PML-N failed to honour its commitment, and thus far has kept PPP away from ministries, adding that the PML-N views PPP as a “potential rival” and does not want PPP to have any share in power.
He said that it came to a point where PPP leadership had to intervene in the matter.
“It is this that PML-N saw as a red flag and realised that PPP senior leadership in Punjab had taken notice of this breach.”
He said after Tuesday’s meeting they were hopeful that PML-N will give PPP its ministries in the coming two to three days.
Meanwhile, a PML-N senior leader in the province said that PPP leaders' decision to file nomination papers was indeed a pressure tactic by the local leadership. However, he added, PPP’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has made it clear that PPP will fully support Hamza’s government in Punjab. He said that Asif Ali Zardari has committed his all-out support for Hamza’s Punjab reign.
He however denied any lack of trust between the two sides but failed to answer why cabinet formation was facing delays.
It is pertinent to mention here that despite a passage of more than a week, the Hamza Shehbaz-led provincial government still remained indecisive about the formation of a cabinet, and thus far only eight members, seven elected and one non-elected have been inducted.
Nonetheless, after a recent meeting with Hamza Shehbaz meeting, there were high hopes that the issue would be resolved in the coming few days.
During this time, Hamza endlessly bashed the Punjab governor for hindering the functioning of the government as the chief minister needed a cabinet to approve decisions.
In the meantime, various names kept appearing in the media from PML-N, PPP, independent and defecting PTI members, who were said to have been chosen for the cabinet.
According to a PML-N MPA in Punjab, the remaining cabinet would be brought in two remaining phases and once all members are brought in, ministries would be assigned. He shared that the final approval regarding the share in the cabinet will be decided by Nawaz Sharif from London.
The insider said that although there was an understanding of the ministries, nothing could be said with certainty.
He said there were bright chances that Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan would to given Law, Atta Home, Khawaja Salman Health and C&W to PPP. He said that till the final approval nothing could be said for certain though.
The provincial minister said that vehemently denied any difference with PPP over the question of ministries. He said that the matter of ministries will be resolved very soon. He said that there was no difference with PPP on the issue of ministries as was being speculated.
He said that PPP has fully supported PML-N during the no-confidence motion, and PML-N will honour their commitment towards them.
To a question about the number of ministries PPP was getting, Atta claimed that the party will be fully accommodated.
PPP Provincial Minister Ali Haider Gillani also denied any difference with PML-N over the issue of ministries and claimed that in the coming days, the remaining three ministries and two advisories will be given to PPP.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2022.
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