Cracks widen in govt alliance as PPP stages walkout from NA, Senate

Demands apology from PML-N leadership while President Zardari calls interior minister to Karachi

The Pakistan Peoples Party staged walkouts from both the Senate and the National Assembly, demanding an apology from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership over what it described as “disparaging remarks” against its top figures.

During the Senate session on Monday, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the country was facing devastating floods, affecting millions across Sindh and Punjab.

“Instead of strengthening the people in this difficult time, we are weakening them through political rhetoric,” she said. “The war of words between the Punjab and Sindh governments is hurting the federal coalition.”

Rehman criticised what she called the “use of the Punjab card,” saying the red line was being crossed. “Making inappropriate remarks about Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto is unacceptable,” she added.

“Even Punjab has PPP representation. Bilawal merely suggested using the Benazir Income Support Programme to help flood victims. Government alliances cannot survive on the basis of humiliation. An apology does not diminish anyone’s dignity.”

She added that the PPP had always advocated for climate justice, noting that southern Punjab had been devastated by floods and crops destroyed. “I am ashamed to even repeat the words that were used,” she said. “If an apology is not offered to our leadership, we should not be taken for granted.”

Following her remarks, PPP senators tore up copies of the agenda and walked out of the session.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed regret over the situation, saying, “If anyone’s words have caused hurt, I feel sorry as a political worker. President Zardari is a senior statesman and will play a conciliatory role. The opposition should not rejoice; we will try to bring our friends back.”

The acting Senate chairman directed senators Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Afnanullah Khan, and Anusha Rahman to persuade the PPP members to return to the chamber.

Walkout in National Assembly

In the National Assembly, the session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also saw the PPP staging a walkout.

PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sought to speak on a point of order, but the Speaker initially resisted, citing pre-decided rules barring such interventions during question hour. However, upon insistence from both the treasury and opposition benches, Ashraf was allowed to speak.

“We are not here to weaken Pakistan,” Ashraf said. “We are the ones who chant the slogan of ‘Long live Pakistan’. We do not believe in provincial bias. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did not speak against the Punjab government — irresponsible statements are coming from the ruling party instead.”

The PPP then boycotted the proceedings and walked out, also pointing out a lack of quorum. When the House reconvened, the deputy speaker ordered a headcount, but with the quorum still incomplete, the session was adjourned until Thursday at 11 am.

Zardari summons interior minister

President Asif Ali Zardari summoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Karachi for urgent consultations amid growing tensions between the Sindh and Punjab governments over flood relief operations. The president telephoned Naqvi and discussed the escalating rift between the two provincial administrations.

The dispute emerged after disagreements over the mechanism for distributing assistance to flood-affected families. The Sindh government, led by the PPP, has insisted that relief funds be disbursed through the Benazir Income Support Programme. However, the Punjab government, run by the PML-N, has rejected this proposal, preferring to manage relief independently.

Both sides have since exchanged sharp statements, with ministers from Sindh and Punjab holding consecutive press conferences to defend their positions. The president’s intervention is seen as an attempt to ease tensions within the ruling coalition and ensure coordinated efforts for flood rehabilitation across provinces.

Read More: Punjab–Sindh war of words deepens as Sharjeel, Azma trade fresh barbs

A day ago, Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari exchanged a fresh round of accusations, further intensifying the ongoing war of words between the two parties.

Memon accused the Punjab government of carrying out a campaign against the PPP. He said, while the Punjab government targets PPP for criticism, the real target is the federal government.

"Whatever has been happening over the past few days, Punjab is indirectly targeting the PPP, but the real target is the federal government. They have internal issues with the prime minister or the centre, so they are using the PPP as a cover to settle those issues. In this way, they are trying to create an environment to discourage our support for the federal government," Sharjeel said while speaking at a press conference in Karachi on Sunday.

He said, "We are not part of the government, but we support it on an issues-based approach. We will not allow Punjab’s conspiracy against the federal government to succeed."

Sharjeel accused Punjab of being jealous of successful federal initiatives. “When the prime minister visits Sindh or Balochistan, the provincial chief ministers welcome him, while in Punjab, neither a welcome nor a protocol is provided to him,” the senior minister said.

In response, Bokhari accused the PPP of undermining the federal government while attempting to politicise flood relief efforts.

“Even while serving as foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto, along with his party, hollowed out the roots of the federal government and the prime minister,” she said. “Those whose own house suffers from internal discord are now making frivolous remarks about ours to cover their own mistakes and shortcomings.”

She added, “Do not hide behind any proxy. Your narrative of dirty politics over Punjab’s flood victims has failed. Now you are bringing a narrative against the prime minister.”