The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a significant partner in the ruling coalition, urged the PML-N-led federal government to implement the power-sharing agreement reached between the two parties in February 2024. This call came after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and several PPP leaders, including Syed Khursheed Shah, Shazia Marri, and Aijaz Jakhrani, at the residence of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Lahore on Sunday.
The gathering was initially to congratulate Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, a PPP member, on his son’s wedding. During the meeting, PPP leaders emphasized the importance of adhering to the power-sharing formula, with Shah and Jakhrani highlighting its significance. Marri also raised concerns regarding Sindh’s water share and the federal government’s proposed plan to build six canals on the Indus River.
After the February 8, 2024 general elections, PPP and PML-N, once bitter rivals, formed a coalition government due to their inability to secure enough seats for a majority. As part of the power-sharing agreement, PPP opted not to join Shehbaz’s cabinet but was given significant constitutional roles, including the presidency, Senate chairmanship, and the governorships of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In return, PML-N secured PPP’s support in forming the federal and Punjab governments.
Tensions between the two coalition partners began to surface as PPP accused PML-N of excluding it from key decisions. Last month, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the PML-N-led government for making “unilateral decisions,” as if they had a two-thirds majority. PPP spokesperson Marri also warned that the government would collapse if PPP withdrew its support, citing a lack of consultation on crucial decisions like the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority.
During the February 2 meeting, both parties discussed strategies to repair their relationship, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizing that bringing PPP on board was a top priority. He expressed confidence that the political issues could be resolved through dialogue.
