Amid rising tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a key move to ease political friction, particularly between the Sindh and Punjab governments.
Political Ice Breaks After Heated Exchanges
According to the PPP media cell, both leaders discussed the ongoing flood crisis, political developments, and foreign policy matters in a phone call. The outreach came shortly after a significant meeting in Nawabshah between President Asif Ali Zardari and a government delegation including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. That meeting aimed to calm tensions after several days of fiery public statements from both sides.
Disagreements had escalated to the point where PPP lawmakers staged walkouts in the National Assembly and Senate, and even threatened to join the opposition benches in Punjab. Senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman warned that the government could lose its majority in the Senate without PPP support.
Despite the heated exchanges, President Zardari maintained a tone of reconciliation, contacting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to mediate between the two parties and avoid further strain on the coalition.
BISP at the Center of Flood Aid Dispute
The recent friction originated from a dispute over the use of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for flood relief efforts in Punjab. The PPP insisted that BISP is the most effective tool to distribute aid to flood-affected families. In contrast, the Punjab government, led by Maryam Nawaz, prefers using its own resources and has announced a new system of “relief cards” issued in victims’ names.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, taking a strong stance, criticised Punjab’s refusal to use BISP, saying it was “unfair” and stressing that over four million people had been affected in Punjab. She posted on X (formerly Twitter) that BISP was the fastest and most transparent way to deliver aid.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari responded sharply, accusing PPP of politicising the floods and using BISP to score political points. She said, “No one wants to abolish BISP, but why drag it into flood politics?” She also questioned the PPP’s commitment to Punjab, asking, “When will you fight Punjab’s case while living here?”
Bokhari defended Punjab’s handling of the crisis, even recalling Bilawal’s past praise for Maryam Nawaz, and suggested PPP leaders were making comments from “the comfort of their homes” instead of actively helping on the ground.
