The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Wednesday agreed to tone down public criticism of each other after National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq brokered a truce following days of back-and-forth over the Punjab government’s response to this year’s floods.
The verbal clash started with the PPP calling on the Punjab government to seek foreign aid in the aftermath of this year’s floods and utilize the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to distribute funds to the affected. In response, the PMLN—particularly Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz—slammed “demands” to take a “begging bowl” to the international community and said they would utilize their own methods to distribute aid. The chief minister also lashed out at the Sindh government’s opposition to the Cholistan canals project and maintained she would not hesitate to speak on behalf of the people of Punjab.
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal minister Rana Mubashir and other senior leaders represented the PMLN, while Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Jakhrani spoke on behalf of the PPP. Local media reported that the PPP leaders had expressed concern over the chief minister’s remarks, describing them as damaging to the unity of the ruling coalition. They said such statements undermined political harmony and urged for restraint so all parties could focus on governance.
Reportedly, the PPP suggested formulating guidelines barring any coalition partner from “attacking” each other’s leadership.
In response, per media reports, the PMLN assured the PPP its reservations would be addressed. The ruling party’s leaders agreed that harsh remarks created unnecessary friction, and supported shifting focus to service delivery rather than internal differences.
Earlier, PPP lawmakers had warned that they would not participate in the legislative process if the situation persisted. This threat was repeated during the meeting, with the PPP saying their reservations must be addressed.
Also on Wednesday, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira addressed a press conference in which he urged Nawaz to avoid statements that fostered nationalistic views. “You [Maryam Nawaz] are a woman and our sister, and our leader [Benazir Bhutto] too was a woman. Reconsider your tone. What do you want to achieve by playing narrow nationalism,” he questioned, regretting that the remarks suggested the provincial government was not answerable to anyone.
“This country does not belong to any one person; it belongs to all of us. You (Maryam Nawaz) are not just a CM, you are also the daughter of Nawaz Sharif and the niece of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. If you say that you will not allow anyone to speak, this approach is not appropriate in any way. Reconsider this attitude,” he said.
Maintaining that the PPP would continue to point out any concerns and protest, he clarified that were opinions, not criticism. He also defended the BISP program, adding it was “fine” if the Punjab government did not wish to utilize it.