Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The deadlock between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over budget-related issues remained unresolved as the coalition partner has refused to offer “unconditional” support until their demands are met.
Sources indicate that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was unproductive. Hence, the PPP has not yet assured the government of its participation or support in the budget session.
The party remains firm on its previous stance regarding its demands and the government has not provided any deadlines for meeting these demands.
Meanwhile, the PPP has decided on symbolic participation in the budget session, nominating four MNAs for today’s session including Shazia Marri, Nafisa Shah, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, and Shagufta Jumani.
Additionally, another round of negotiations between the government and the PPP will take place today at the PM’s House, focusing on power-sharing in Punjab.
The PPP’s committee includes Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani, former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Ali Haider Gillani from Punjab.
The government’s committee comprises National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, and Khawaja Asif, with Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique representing the Punjab government.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on June 20, a one-on-one meeting between PM Shehbaz and Bilawal was held.
Bilawal was accompanied by Yousuf Raza Gilani, Khurshid Shah, Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Prime Minister’s House.
Sources indicate that Bilawal presented his party’s reservations about the federal budget and issues pertaining to the federal and Punjab governments to the prime minister.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Shehbaz had invited Bilawal for discussions regarding the budget after extending Eid ul Adha greetings over the phone.
Earlier, akistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss concerns regarding the budget.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, a one-on-one meeting between PM Shehbaz and Bilawal is currently underway.
Bilawal is accompanied by Yousuf Raza Gilani, Khurshid Shah, Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Prime Minister’s House. Sources indicate that Bilawal will present his party’s reservations about the federal budget and issues pertaining to the federal and Punjab governments to the prime minister.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Shehbaz had invited Bilawal for discussions regarding the budget after extending Eid ul Adha greetings over the phone.The meeting is taking place after tensions within the ruling coalition had heightened over the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, according to sources.
The PPP has been at odds with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over money bills both at the federal level and in Punjab.
The PPP believes that the PML-N is taking them for granted, particularly by excluding their input in the PSDP budget.
Sources revealed that Bilawal during today’s meeting will maintain his absence from the National Assembly’s budget session, adding that the PPP chairman will take the next step based on the results of the meeting with the premier.
If the meeting is successful, they added, there will be full participation in the session; otherwise, the parliamentary party will determine the course of action.
