Government concedes to all PPP demands in key meeting

Sources say PPP will be given preference in development funds and administrative positions in Punjab

The government on Sunday agreed to all demands put forward by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Express News reported.

A meeting was held in Islamabad between the negotiating committees of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP, during which the PPP presented its objections to the government.

After thorough discussions, the government accepted all of the PPP's demands. Sources indicated that the PPP will also be given preference in development funds and administrative positions in Punjab.

Following the meeting, senior PPP leader and member of the negotiating committee, Nadeem Afzal Chan, spoke to media representatives.

He stated that there were issues of accommodation in Punjab and the matter of local body elections. He added that the PPP wants to ensure no one is targeted for retribution and that good governance is provided in Punjab.

Significant progress has been made with the government, and discussions are now focusing on the implementation of the written agreement, he concluded.

Read PPP withdraws ‘unconditional’ support as deadlock over budget persists

Previously, a meeting convened at the PM House on June 21 where PPP leaders voiced their grievances, alleging they were being “victimised” in Punjab, much like the ruling alliance’s rivals in the PTI-turned-Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

They lamented that their legislators and party workers were facing the wrath of the administration without any respite.

The PPP stressed the importance of the administration functioning “above board” and demanded that local elections proceed without undue delay.

In addition, the PPP has asked the PML-N governments at the Centre and Punjab that previous development schemes should continue to be funded in the current budget instead of abandoning them.

In reaction, members of National Assembly continued the budget debate on the second consecutive day on Friday, amid an absence of federal ministers and boycott from the PPP, a major government ally.

Prior to that a statement was 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.