Tensions flare between PPP, PML-N

A fresh rift appeared within the ruling coalition on Wednesday after PPP Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza lambasted the provincial government over its handling of wheat procurement, prompting an equally strong rejoinder from Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari of the PML-N.

Murtaza accused the Punjab government of failing to protect farmers' interests and mishandling procurement policy, while Bukhari denounced his remarks as "irresponsible" and urged the PPP leadership to rein him in.

Addressing a press conference, Murtaza said that while the PPP had long argued that farmers were the backbone of the economy, the Punjab government's inconsistent wheat procurement policies had caused major losses to cultivators.

In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari lashed out at Murtaza, questioning whether he was "conspiring against his own leadership".

"Will the PPP handle Hassan Murtaza's statement itself, or should we respond?" Bukhari asked. "He should apologise to Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto, who can't even control defeated politicians like him."