PML-N, PPP tensions spill into public
A bitter exchange of words between leaders of the two federal coalition partners over how to assist tens of thousands of flood-affected people in Punjab has laid bare the underlying tensions simmering beneath the veneer of political unity.
Thursday marked the second consecutive day of public sparring between the PPP and PML-N over the Punjab government's flood relief efforts. The PPP maintains that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the most effective and fastest mechanism to assist flood victims, while the PML-N government in Punjab insists on channeling aid through its own "relief card" initiative.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday criticised both the federal and Punjab governments — led by the PML-N — for failing to issue an appeal for international assistance. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz retorted that Punjab "would not beg" for aid.
Speaking at the inauguration of an electric bus project in Dera Ghazi Khan, Maryam accused the PPP of politicising Punjab's flood crisis. She categorically rejected the party's calls to deploy the BISP in the province, dismissing it as inadequate for addressing the scale of the disaster.
"The BISP offers only Rs10,000 in aid, while we aim to provide assistance of up to Rs1 million," she said, questioning how such a small amount could compensate for losses running into hundreds of thousands of rupees. She reiterated that Punjab's own resources would be used exclusively for its people.
"I don't need anyone's help. The money belonging to the people of Punjab will be spent only on them," she declared. In a sharp rebuke to Bilawal, she added: "Keep your advice to yourself - we will manage Punjab."
Maryam said she did not wish to comment on the situation in Sindh, but directed pointed remarks at the leader of the ruling party there. "Bilawal is like a younger brother, but I would advise him to first guide his own party's spokespersons. Focus on your own province and keep your suggestions to yourself — we will take care of Punjab," she added.
She defended her refusal to appeal for global aid. "People ask me why I am not begging the world for help. I'm Nawaz Sharif's daughter - I will not go cap in hand before anyone for aid. How can any self-respecting person talk about begging for assistance?"
Maryam also accused rivals of exploiting South Punjab as a slogan without delivering results. "Those who keep invoking South Punjab also had the chance to govern here, yet it was Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif who carried out real development work," she said.
"In the past, South Punjab got nothing but slogans. We are doing practical work here. In schools of South Punjab, children are even provided milk," she added. She cautioned that repeatedly raising the South Punjab issue amounted to drawing a dividing line.
Her remarks followed Bilawal's strong defence of the BISP, which he described as Pakistan's only credible and internationally recognised mechanism for transparent and immediate aid distribution. He urged the PML-N government to reconsider its decision.
The PPP chairman argued that governments worldwide played a "frontline role" in flood relief and rehabilitation. He criticised the federal government's reluctance to use the BISP and questioned its approach.
"The recent flooding has devastated Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh's riverine belt, but Punjab has been the hardest hit, especially South Punjab, where the destruction is historic," he said.
"Why make flood relief a matter of ego? The BISP was used during previous floods and during Covid-19. If it is refused today, what fault is it of South Punjab? When people are homeless and living on the streets, why can't they be helped?"
Bilawal criticised those opposing the BISP, saying they did not understand its effectiveness. He reminded that the PML-N had praised the programme in the past. "If they have now taken a U-turn, they should explain why."
Linking his stance to broader relief efforts, Bilawal welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's announcement of an agricultural and climate emergency, which he said was made in response to his appeal.
He termed the federal government's waiver of electricity bills for flood-hit households a positive step but pressed for further action. He urged the government to seek international assistance, noting that Pakistan had turned to global partners in previous crises.
Bilawal also called on the Centre to renegotiate terms with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying current conditions denied farmers fair support prices. He warned that without immediate action, the country faced severe risks to food security.
The PPP chairman announced that Sindh's provincial government would provide its own relief package for farmers through a "Hari Card." If the federal government joined in, he said, the package could be expanded to cover more of the agricultural sector.
He underscored that Punjab's suffering warranted urgent and coordinated action, not political disputes. He maintained that the BISP remained the most efficient and transparent method available for delivering aid directly to citizens.