PPP links budget support to ‘more share’ in Punjab
The PPP, a key ally in the ruling alliance, has linked its support for the budget and other issues to receiving more share of power in Punjab, it emerged on Thursday after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
In addition to receiving “more space” in Punjab and its set-up, sources in the ruling PML-N shared that the PPP sought additional development budget for its lawmakers in the province.
Although the premier has not yet given any assurance to the PPP in this connection, he has directed the committees of both the parties to resolve all the issues by Sunday.
The meeting between PM Shehbaz and the PPP delegation lasted for roughly 90 minutes wherein both the sides deliberated on the proposed federal budget, power-sharing in Punjab as well as other matters in line with the post-election agreement that the two parties had reached before forming the government.
The meeting on Thursday was held against the backdrop of the PPP’s claim that the PML-N had completely sidelined it during the budget preparation, violating the agreement reached between the two parties after the general elections on February 8 this year.
Tensions between the PPP and PML-N had emerged on June 12 as the former had only engaged in a token participation in the National Assembly’s budget session.
The PPP was prompted to opt for the step after the PML-N did not bother to address its key ally’s reservations over the budget.
Earlier, the PPP had decided to boycott the budget session altogether. The party later changed its mind to engage in a token representation after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also holds the additional portfolio of the foreign ministry, rushed to Bilawal’s chamber to request that his party should attend the session.
However, no major breakthrough was reached during Thursday’s meeting as both sides could only managed to agree that talks would continue through the committees of the two parties.
The leaders from both the parties said the full participation of the PPP in the budget session depended on the outcome of the negotiations between the two sides.
Federal Planning and Development MinisterAhsan Iqbal told The Express Tribune that both the PML-N and PPP, which were partners in the ruling alliance, reviewed the coalition formation in a cordial atmosphere.
He maintained that both the sides expressed the satisfaction that most of the terms of the agreement had been fulfilled.
The minister said the PPP leadership raised the issue of implementation of the agreement by the Punjab government and sought the PM’s support in this connection during the meeting.
He added that PM Shehbaz had formed a committee to resolve all the outstanding issues by Sunday.
To a question, Iqbal said the issues related to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) had already been resolved to the extent of Sindh as Rs65 billion were allocated to the province when its chief minister approached the premier.
Commenting on further power-sharing between the two sides, Iqbal said both the parties were committed to abide by the agreement that they had reached after the elections.
“Both parties believe that the economic crisis which the country faces demands collaborative politics,” he added.
The minister hoped that all the issues would be resolved within the stipulated timeframe set by PM Shehbaz and the PPP would soon be back in the NA.
PPP leader Shazia Marri while talking to The Express Tribune admitted that her party wanted “some space” in Punjab.
However, she denied that it sought a share in the Punjab government.
“It’s unfair for an ally to seek a proper share in the province as its lawmakers are answerable to their constituents,” she added.
However, Marri questioned why the PPP should not be given some space in Punjab.
“The PPP has won some seats in Punjab and it’s an ally of the government. The party is unhappy with the treatment meted out to its MPAs in Punjab. It’s inappropriate to say that the PPPP wants a share in the federal and provincial cabinets.”
Referring to the post-election agreement signed between the PML-N and PPP, Marri claimed that it specifically stated that federal PSDP would be pre-agreed.
“The PML-N’s actions show a ‘breach of trust’ as no input was taken from the PPP for the budget even though assurances given that the agreement would be fulfilled.”
To the statement that the PPP’s reservations over the PSDP budget of Sindh had already been addressed, Marri said thr PPP chairman had made it clear time and again that the party was not confined to the province alone.
An official statement issued after the meeting read that a PPP delegation led by its chairman met with PM Shehbaz and discussed the political situation of the country as well the budget 2024-25. The PPP delegation, led by party chief Bilawal, included Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Khursheed Shah, Naveed Qamar, and Sherry Rehman.
The statement added that the premier highlighted that the macroeconomic indicators about the country’s economy were showing encouraging growth while a historic boom in the stock market was the endorsement of the government’s budget by the business community.
He said all political parties should work together to ensure the country’s development, prosperity and the public welfare, saying steps were taken to provide maximum relief to the people in the budget 2024-25.
It was agreed in the meeting that further consultation would be continued through the parliamentary committees, the statement read.
It added that the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere with both sides agreeing on the need for collaboration to address the country’s challenges.