PM Shehbaz to meet Bilawal Bhutto soon over growing rift between parties

ISLAMABAD: The growing tension between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has now reached President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sources said on Monday.

According to sources, a key meeting between the top leadership of both coalition partners is expected within the next two days. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet President Zardari soon to discuss the matter.

PML-N sources revealed that Shehbaz Sharif has also asked his brother, party President Nawaz Sharif, to play his role in defusing the situation. However, talks between the PPP and PML-N delegations earlier in the day ended without any breakthrough.

PPP sources said the party walked out of the Senate and National Assembly to send a clear message to the government about its concerns.

Rana Sanaullah, the prime minister’s aide on political affairs, confirmed that negotiations held at the Speaker’s chamber failed to produce results. He said the PPP plans to continue its protest and parliamentary walkouts.

He added that a meeting between President Zardari and the prime minister was scheduled for today, but could not take place due to Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Malaysia. The prime minister will hold the meeting after his return and address the PPP’s concerns.

Rana Sanaullah clarified that the PPP has not demanded an apology from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The ongoing dispute between the two coalition allies began over aid distribution to flood-affected families in Punjab through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and efforts to seek international assistance for flood relief.

Earlier, PML-N president Nawaz Sharif publicly supported his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the row, saying her statements reflected the sentiments of Punjab’s people and were a response to the PPP’s unnecessary criticism.

Sources said Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon’s recent press conference attacking CM Maryam Nawaz came after Nawaz Sharif endorsed his daughter’s stance, which further escalated tensions between the two parties.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari also dismissed the PPP’s demand for an apology, saying Maryam Nawaz would not backtrack on her remarks. She said Punjab had previously shown restraint on issues like the Cholistan water canal despite protests from Sindh.

“Why should Maryam Nawaz apologize for working for the rights of Punjabis?” Bukhari said. “People admire Lahore’s progress; the PPP should focus on improving Karachi instead. In Sindh, people wish they had a chief minister like Maryam Nawaz.”

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