Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira dismissed media reports on Wednesday, labeling them as “baseless,” regarding his party’s potential inclusion in the government’s treasury benches.
Speculation arose about the PPP joining the government following Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal’s meetings with Kaira and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. It was rumored that these meetings were aimed at persuading the PPP to join the federal cabinet, as suggested by reports.
However, Kaira clarified to sources that his meeting with the planning minister was focused on discussing development projects in his constituency and not about joining the government.
On another note, sources revealed to The News that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intends to expand the federal cabinet post-budget and has formally invited the PPP to join the government.
According to the report, senior leaders from the PML-N and allied parties will be included in the cabinet expansion. Talks are underway regarding the inclusion of new cabinet members, with the PPP being invited once again.
The final decision on this matter will be presented before the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the top decision-making body of the PPP.
It’s noteworthy that after the elections, the PPP abstained from joining the PML-N alliance in the Centre and Punjab but voted for Shehbaz as prime minister. Initially, the PPP had opted out of taking any ministries, limiting itself to constitutional and parliamentary posts.
However, the party recently expressed its willingness to join the Punjab government if offered a substantial role.
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, a senior PPP leader, conveyed this sentiment last month, indicating the party’s readiness to participate in Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet if given an adequate share.
