In an effort to reduce bitterness between the PPP and PML-N—key ruling coalition partners—the former urged the latter to ensure the implementation of the power-sharing formula agreed upon between the two sides in February 2024, revealed well-placed sources on Monday.
This development occurred during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leaders, including Syed Khursheed Shah, Shazia Marri, and Aijaz Jakhrani, at National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s residence in Lahore on Sunday. The purpose of the visit was to congratulate Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who is from PPP, on his son’s wedding.
During their interaction with PM Shehbaz, PPP leaders Shah and Jakhrani emphasized the need to implement the power-sharing formula, while Marri raised concerns about Sindh’s water share and the federal government’s plan to construct six canals on the Indus River, insiders told Geo News on Monday.
After the February 8 general elections, PPP and PML-N—former rivals—reached a formal agreement to form a coalition government as both parties failed to secure enough seats to form a majority government.
Under the power-sharing formula, PPP did not join PM Shehbaz’s cabinet but accepted key constitutional positions, including the presidency. Additionally, positions like the Senate chairmanship, Balochistan chief minister, National Assembly deputy speaker, and governorships of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were allocated to the Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led party. In return, PML-N received PPP’s support for forming governments at the Centre and in Punjab.
Tensions began to rise between the coalition partners when PPP accused PML-N of sidelining it in the decision-making process. Last month, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari sharply criticized the PML-N-led government, accusing it of making “unilateral decisions” as if it had a two-thirds majority.
Earlier, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri claimed that the PML-N-led government at the Centre would collapse the moment PPP withdraws its support. She also criticized the federal government for failing to consult PPP on important decisions, including the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority.
According to insiders, during the February 2 meeting, the leadership of PPP and PML-N discussed ways to mend ties in detail. “Bringing PPP on board is our top priority,” the sources quoted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as saying. He assured that minor political issues would be resolved through dialogue.
