President steps in to ease tensions between Sindh, Punjab Govtst

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has become actively involved in efforts to defuse rising tensions between the Sindh and Punjab provincial governments and has summoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for urgent consultations.

According to sources at the Presidency, President Zardari held a telephonic conversation with Minister Naqvi to discuss the ongoing friction between the two provincial administrations and explore ways to de-escalate the situation.

The sources added that the President has asked Mohsin Naqvi to travel to Karachi immediately in order to engage with stakeholders and help ease tensions between Sindh and Punjab.

President Zardari’s intervention is seen as a significant step towards resolving inter-provincial differences through dialogue and cooperation.

The dispute began after a statement from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, which drew strong objections from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). In protest, PPP lawmakers staged a walkout from the National Assembly and demanded an apology from the Punjab CM.

However, Maryam Nawaz firmly rejected the call for an apology, stating, “If anyone speaks against Punjab, I will respond as the Chief Minister. I will protect the rights of my province’s people and will not apologize to anyone.”

Meanwhile, the political tussle extended further when Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon challenged Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari to a debate. In response, Uzma Bukhari accepted the challenge, saying, “Show us 17 development projects completed during your party’s 17 years of rule in Sindh.”

Bukhari further added, “Come to Lahore, I will take you around the city. Let me show you Bahawalpur, Multan, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. In return, you can take me to Kashmore, Nawabshah, and Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to see what you have delivered.”

The ongoing war of words reflects widening political fault lines between the two provinces, prompting President Asif Ali Zardari to intervene in an effort to defuse tensions and restore political calm.