PPP seeks 'promised' space in Punjab

LAHORE:

What began as a mere spat over an electricity subsidy has now bizarrely morphed into a political tug-of-war, with the PPP shifting its focus from criticism to a demand for greater political and administrative space in Punjab.

The twist followed a meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the PPP delegation aired grievances over unfulfilled promises in Punjab.

A coordination committee meeting, with members from both PPP and PML-N, has been scheduled for August 25 (today) at the Governor House to hash out these concerns.

In the upcoming meeting, the PPP is set to present its concerns over the non-compliance with an agreement that outlined a workable power-sharing formula between the PPP and PML-N before they formed the government at the centre.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Malik Ahmad Khan will represent the PML-N in the upcoming meeting, while the PPP will be represented by Raja Pervez Ashraf, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Hassan Murtaza, and Ali Haider Gilani.

PPP leader Ali Haider Gilani has confirmed that the meeting will take place.

Ironically, this entire situation began with the PPP criticising the PML-N for announcing a two-month electricity subsidy in Punjab—a move that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah dismissed as "stupidity," leading Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to accuse the PPP of corruption.

Following the exchange of barbs, PM Shehbaz extended an invitation to Bilawal for a meeting over dinner. During the meeting, the PPP delegation reiterated its reservations regarding the non-compliance with the earlier agreement between the two sides.

While the subsidy issue, which initially appeared to be the main source of friction, was not the top agenda item—as indicated by the forthcoming coordination committee meeting at Governor House—the PML-N reportedly expressed concerns about the remarks made by the Sindh chief minister.

Contrary to media reports suggesting that the decision to hold the coordination committee meeting was made during this gathering, the PPP's general secretary for Central Punjab, who is a member of the committee, clarified that the meeting was part of routine coordination.

When asked about the implementation of the agreement, he said that the PPP has yet to receive any development funds, nor have they been granted any political positions in institutions like Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Zakat and Usher, and other government authorities—two key demands that remain unresolved.

Another PPP leader acknowledged that Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah might have overstepped by labelling the subsidy "stupid."

He further said that this was not the leadership's intent to confront Maryam in such a manner, adding that Shah may have acted independently, likely seeking some breathing space for himself.

He said that the Sindh CM was under pressure to keep up with the Punjab government's pace, which, while largely limited to media and social media, still plays a crucial role in maintaining visibility.

He said the Sindh government did step in to support Shah, but the PPP's intervention went only so far. The leader pointed out that as allies, the PPP and PML-N lack the flexibility to openly challenge each other. Both parties are "sailing in the same boat," for better or worse.