Unmet promises drive wedge between PPP, PML-N

ISLAMABAD:

Despite forming a negotiating panel to address the reservations of key ally Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz led government has failed to woo Bilawal led party as it has once again expressed its concerns over unmet promises and commitments.

During a party huddle, key PPP leaders conveyed to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that the ruling PML-N did not make enough progress on the commitments it had earlier made to the party and different provinces, saying the government is aiming to table key bills in parliament in days to come.

The high-level PPP meeting led by its chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was attended by Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Haider, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and senior PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar at Bilawal House in Karachi.

"The participants expressed a lack of confidence in the federal government regarding the progress on commitments made to various provinces," an official statement issued after the meeting read.

During the meeting, it said, a detailed discussion was held on the overall political situation in the country. It added that the participants briefed Bilawal on the progress made so far in negotiations with the government as well as about the upcoming legislation planned by the government.

After a briefing, Bilawal "instructed the attendees to intensify their engagements with the government so that positive outcomes from these interactions could be presented during the PPP Central Executive Committee meeting."

Soon after the PPP chairman lashed out at PML-N, the ruling party reached out to it and assured that all its reservations would soon be addressed. Since then, both sides constituted committees, Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Bilawal, and the parties' panels held a meeting.

Nevertheless, the PPP still feels aggrieved and the same was conveyed through the official statement. In November, the PPP chairman had not only taken the matter public but also regretted the government's attitude towards his party.

Bilawal had accused the ruling PML-N of violating its agreement with the PPP – not only a key ally of ruling party but the only party in parliament which has a potential to topple the government anytime. He had said that it wasn't just a question of mere discontent as true politics is based on respect, saying the PML-N must adhere to its agreements.

This is not the first time when PPP has voiced its concerns as the party had similar complaints against PML-N when budget was being presented. The disgruntled lawmakers of the PPPP only had a token participation in the budget session; that too after Dar rushed to Bilawal's chamber, requesting that the party should attend the budget session.

However, the PPP chairman had only sent three of his MNAs - Naveed Qamar, Khursheed Shah and Ijaz Jakhrani - to represent PPPP in the session as the party felt that PML-N did not only deviate from its post-election agreement but it started taking PPPP for granted.

The PPP is not only concerned over governance issues in Punjab and South Punjab but has reservations on policy disputes over water management. It feels that new challenges are emerging for agricultural and digital economies, lamenting that there are delays in flood rehabilitation efforts.

Also, PPP has reservations on new canal construction from the Indus River. Bilawal had earlier said that this step was another example of the PML-N's breach of agreement with PPP. He recalled that while he was working on the 26th amendment, the canal project was approved behind his back, despite strong objections from PPP members.

In addition, Bilawal has "criticised the federal government for failing to implement the promised equality during constitutional amendments." He revealed that he "withdrew from the Judicial Commission in protest," stating that if he had stayed, he would have addressed the disparities in the constitutional bench.

He emphasized that if there were judges from rural Sindh on the Supreme Court, he would advocate for equality as the highest judicial institution requires fair representation. He asserted that a country cannot operate under two separate systems as different treatment for Sindh is repeatedly apparent.

Following the previous meeting between the two sides, both PPP and PML-N have remained tight-lipped and haven't yet shared details with media and public.