No Breakthrough in Speaker’s Chamber; PPP Vows to Continue Protests
ISLAMABAD – Tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) remain unresolved as another round of talks on Monday failed to ease the growing dispute over flood relief fund distribution. The meeting, held in the Speaker’s chamber, ended without any progress, with the PPP announcing it would continue protests and parliamentary walkouts.
The dispute centers on the PPP’s demand to channel relief funds through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)—a proposal firmly opposed by the Punjab government, which prefers direct provincial distribution. The conflict emerged after devastating floods hit southern Punjab, causing massive agricultural losses.
Despite the federal government’s mediation efforts, including attempts to bring leadership from both parties to the table, PPP lawmakers continue to express dissatisfaction. Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed after the meeting that no apology had been demanded from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, but added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would address the PPP’s concerns after returning from Malaysia on Tuesday.
Zardari Summons Naqvi as Protests Escalate in Parliament
In a sign of rising political friction, President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly summoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Karachi for urgent consultations on the matter. A statement from the presidency on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed that Zardari and Naqvi held a telephonic conversation regarding the situation and would meet in person soon.
Meanwhile, PPP protests intensified. In the Senate session on Wednesday, PPP senators tore up the agenda and walked out in protest. Speaking in the upper house, Senator Sherry Rehman launched a sharp attack on the PML-N, stating that “alliances cannot be sustained through humiliation” and that southern Punjab must not be treated as a private estate.
She further accused the government of crossing a political red line by disrespecting PPP’s leadership, warning that “we do not believe in the politics of hate, but we will not be taken lightly.”
PTI Slams Both Sides Over Political Infighting
Amid the coalition fallout, PTI Senator Ali Zafar criticized both ruling parties for prioritizing political point-scoring over actual relief work. “They’re fighting for trophies while flood victims suffer. I give them the award for lies, apathy, and failure,” he said, pointing out the ongoing loss of crops and livestock.
The current rift follows an earlier attempt at reconciliation during a weekend meeting in Jati Umra, Lahore, where Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz agreed to temporarily de-escalate tensions with the PPP. However, fresh remarks by Maryam Nawaz, refusing to apologise and instead demanding critics apologise to her, reignited hostilities.
Although a verbal ceasefire was agreed on October 1, Monday’s follow-up meeting ended with no resolution, signalling that the coalition remains fragile amid ongoing political and natural crises.
