Govt-PTI talks in PPP's crosshairs

Pakistan People's Party Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hasan Murtaza, firing a broadside at his party's allies and PTI, said that the biggest National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in the country's history is being reached to secure the release of a prisoner.

He emphasised that negotiations should take place, but not deals or NROs. He made these remarks while addressing a press conference at the People's Secretariat, Model Town, here on Thursday.

Hasan Murtaza alleged that an NRO is being sought behind closed doors, while negotiating in front of the media.

"The PPP believes in negotiating on issues and does not support an NRO." He clarified that PPP has never been part of such an ordinance, and will not be in the future. "The decision to release any prisoner should be made by the court, and doing so through negotiations or an NRO would be illegal."

He announced plans to visit districts across Punjab to activate nonfunctional positions at the district level, starting with Gujranwala Division next week. A youth committee, led by Mohsin Malhi, is being formed to activate the youth, and disciplinary committees have been established at provincial and district levels.

Hasan Murtaza stated that PPP support sustains the government, but if it does not take them into confidence on important decisions, they will face the consequences of both positive and negative outcomes.

He clarified that the PPP's aim is not to blackmail the government or weaken the coalition, but they are concerned about favoritism in decision-making, which is causing rifts among allies.

The PPP general secretary emphasised that Pakistan's economy and politics need stability for the country to progress. He said the party cannot support anything detrimental to the nation.

"The government should avoid making unilateral decisions, particularly regarding agriculture, as some of these decisions pose a threat to food security."

Murtaza criticised the government's move to privatize institutions and condemned the imposition of a super tax on agriculture, calling it unjust. He expressed concerns over policies that push farmers to the brink and restrict their access to markets, while sugarcane and sugar cess are allocated to MPAs.

He also criticized actions under the guise of the "firewall" for harming the IT industry, claiming it is being destroyed. "The world is moving toward 5G and Pakistan is being deprived of 2G."

Hasan Murtaza accused the government of excluding PPP from the distribution of national resources and subjecting the party to retaliatory actions in Punjab. He expressed disappointment that despite this, they are still called allies.