In a bid to ease tensions between the PPP and PML-N, the two key ruling coalition partners, the PPP called on the PML-N to honor the power-sharing agreement reached in February 2024. This plea was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and 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 meeting’s primary focus was to congratulate Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah of the PPP on his son’s wedding. However, during their discussion with PM Shehbaz, PPP leaders Shah and Jakhrani emphasized the importance of implementing the power-sharing formula, while Marri raised concerns about Sindh’s water share and the federal government’s proposed six canals on the Indus River, according to sources.
Following the February 8 general elections last year, PPP and PML-N, once bitter rivals, came together to form a coalition government after both parties failed to secure enough seats for a majority. As part of the power-sharing agreement, PPP did not join PM Shehbaz’s cabinet but accepted key constitutional positions, including the presidency, Senate chairmanship, and governorships in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the Balochistan chief minister and National Assembly deputy speaker roles. In return, PML-N gained PPP’s support in the formation of governments at the Centre and in Punjab.
Tensions began to rise when PPP accused PML-N of sidelining it in decision-making processes. Last month, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the PML-N-led government for making “unilateral decisions,” as if it had a two-thirds majority, urging more consultation with allies.
PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri had also warned that the PML-N-led government would collapse if PPP withdrew its support, citing the lack of consultation on key issues, including the creation of the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority.
During the February 2 meeting, the leadership of both parties discussed ways to resolve the growing political differences. “Bringing the PPP on board is our top priority,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying by sources. He assured that minor political issues would be addressed through dialogue.
