Ruling PML-N takes key ally PPP into confidence 'ahead of crucial legislation in parliament'

In Islamabad, tensions have been mounting between two major ruling allies, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). To address these growing disputes, top leaders from both parties, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, met in Islamabad on Thursday to resolve their differences.

According to sources, the coalition government led by PM Shehbaz briefed the PPP leadership on upcoming "crucial legislation" that will be introduced in the National Assembly. A session of the National Assembly has been scheduled for Monday to discuss this important legislation, although details of the legislation have not been disclosed. The meeting also touched on the current political situation in the country and other key issues.

The PPP delegation, headed by Bilawal, included Senator Sherry Rehman, former National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and MNA Naveed Qamar. On the PML-N side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and PM's aide on public and political affairs Rana Sanaullah were present.

Sources revealed that the PPP voiced concerns about the non-implementation of a written power-sharing agreement in Punjab, stating that the party felt overlooked in the Punjab government. To address these issues, a meeting of the PML-N and PPP's coordination committees has been scheduled for Sunday, August 25, at the Punjab Governor House.

Speaking on Geo News' program 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,' PM’s aide Rana Sanaullah confirmed the meeting between PM Shehbaz and Bilawal, stating that all issues were discussed, and the prime minister will meet with the PPP leader again next week. Sanaullah claimed that most of the issues with the PPP had been resolved, and further progress would be made in the upcoming meeting.

It’s worth noting that the two political allies have been at odds for some time over various issues, including the federal budget and power subsidies. Recently, there was a heated exchange between the PPP and PML-N regarding power relief measures in Punjab. Sources indicated that Bilawal was expected to express his party's concerns over the PML-N government’s economic policies, particularly regarding subsidies and relief measures. Additionally, the PPP raised the issue of providing affordable electricity to the people of Sindh by utilizing the abundant coal resources in Thar.

After the general elections on February 8, the PPP formed a government in Sindh and extended support to the PML-N in establishing governments in the Centre and Punjab, though the PPP declined to accept any ministries.