PPP withdraws ‘unconditional’ support as deadlock over budget persists

Sources say meeting between PM Shehbaz and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari failed to break impasse

ISLAMABAD:

The deadlock between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over budget-related issues remained unresolved as the coalition partner has refused to offer "unconditional" support until their demands are met, Express News reported.

Sources indicate that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was unproductive. Hence, the PPP has not yet assured the government of its participation or support in the budget session.

The party remains firm on its previous stance regarding its demands and the government has not provided any deadlines for meeting these demands.

Meanwhile, the PPP has decided on symbolic participation in the budget session, nominating four MNAs for today’s session including Shazia Marri, Nafisa Shah, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, and Shagufta Jumani.

Additionally, another round of negotiations between the government and the PPP will take place today at the PM's House, focusing on power-sharing in Punjab.

The PPP’s committee includes Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Ali Haider Gillani from Punjab.

The government’s committee comprises National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, and Khawaja Asif, with Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique representing the Punjab government.

Read: Bilawal meets PM Shehbaz over Budget 2024-25 concerns

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on June 20, a one-on-one meeting between PM Shehbaz and Bilawal was held.

Bilawal was accompanied by Yousuf Raza Gilani, Khurshid Shah, Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Prime Minister's House.

Sources indicate that Bilawal presented his party’s reservations about the federal budget and issues pertaining to the federal and Punjab governments to the prime minister.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Shehbaz had invited Bilawal for discussions regarding the budget after extending Eid ul Adha greetings over the phone.