Islamabad/Lahore:
When alarmed by the spectrum of progressive provincialism, caused by the Tit-For-Tat spikes about the response of the floods, the main leadership of the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) accumulated Wednesday in an attempt to do tensions and harmony of the Wild Coalition.
The president of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, intervened as a mediator, organizing a meeting between the two parties in his chamber to calm the tensions.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, the PPP leader, Qamar Zaman Kaira, denounced the recent speeches of Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz, as “inappropriate.”
Criticism caused an immediate withdrawal from Punjab, Azma Bukhari, who accused the PPP of politicizing the relief of floods and unfairly pointing to Punjab.
The PPP delegation, directed by Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani, met with the leadership of PML-N, which included the Vice Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Senator Rana Sanaullah and Rana Mubashir, among others.
During the meeting in the Federal Capital, the PPP leaders raised objections on recent statements and speeches made by the CM of Punjab Maryam Nawaz. Naveed Qamar emphasized that “the negative statements of the partners of the coalition damage the unit of the unit” and warned that the continuous verbal exchanges from both parties would be “inappropriate.”
After the discussions, the two parties agreed to stop the war war from each other to preserve the harmony of the coalition.
Qamar Zamman Kaira
When heading to a press conference at the PPP Secretariat in Lahore, Kaira criticized Maryam’s comments, as “we will rose the hands and languages of silence,” saying that this language was improper of a coalition partner.
He stressed that the PPP had supported the PML-N in good faith, repeatedly urging the implementation of written agreements that were never completely honored. “We not only give advice, we give opinions. If they do not act on them, then criticisms are our democratic right,” he said.
He said that PPP would praise a good job where it was done, but the right to criticize failures would also be reserved, citing recent floods as an example.
Referring to the comments of the CM, Kaira said: “They told us that whoever raises a finger will break. Bilawal Bhutto has tried with great patience to advance.
He stressed that every time PPP expressed concerns, such as NFC assignments or flood victims, Sindh was unfairly attacked. “We are not asking to share power, but we are supporting the government. Do not forget the last time we separate,” he warned.
Kaira insisted that giving proposals for flood rehabilitation should not be misunderstood as an attack against Punjab. “Through BISP, initial help is given. If you want to give millions to the victims, then go ahead, but you are not just the cm of Punjab … You are also the daughter of Nawaz Sharif,” he said.
He praised the BISP as “the poverty relief program number one worldwide” and asked the leaders to exercise restrictions. “Should we leave Punjab? You govern, but do not finish the rights of others. Your words should strengthen the Federation, not weaken it,” he added.
When asked if the PML-N still needed PPP after the decision on the reserved seats, Kaira refused to respond. “Answering that will increase bitterness, so I will not.”
Bukhari ane
Punjab Minister of Information, Azma Bukhari, firmly condemned Kaira’s comments, saying that the PPP was “running” to hold press conferences against the Punjab government.
“Do you affirm not to politicize the difficult situation of the victims of the floods, however, it has presses against Punjab? Before criticizing Maryam Nawaz, Punjab’s daughter, he should have looked at his own past,” he said.
“The party whose leader was a woman now collectively addresses a woman leader. He maintains her popularity before questioning ours. These statements will not affect us, nor will they help PPP stay in their own feet.”
Bukhari accused PPP of “pointed fingers in Punjab in unison”, adding that CM Maryam, his cabinet and provincial institutions had been with victims of floods “from day one.”
“As a mature politician of Punjab, it is disappointing that you choose the victims of flooding of Punjab. When you make personal attacks, you expect the same in return,” he warned.
She said PPP was free to use BISP in Sindh. “You can give RS10,000 to the victims there, but Maryam Nawaz is giving Punjab victims because that is what they need.”
“Punjab’s resources belong to their people. We do not need anyone’s advice on how to spend them. With provincial funds, Punjab has built 20,000 kilometers of roads, and more than 90 initiatives of Maryam Nawaz are being financed without a single rupee of the Federation. As Punjabis, this should be proud, not resentable,” he added.
