The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have agreed to a “ceasefire” after a meeting between senior leaders of both parties at the residence of President Asif Ali Zardari in Nawabshah.
The increasingly contentious verbal back-and-forth started over differences between the two coalition partners regarding flood compensation through the Benazir Income Support Program. In various speeches, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has accused the PPP—without naming it directly—of trying to use the flood devastation in the province for political mileage. She also raised anew the issue of canals in Punjab and alleged that “certain” parties had complained to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when she attempted to provide relief in electricity bills to residents of Punjab.
In response, the PPP has staged multiple walkouts of the Senate and the National Assembly and vowed to not vote for any government legislation until the Punjab C.M. apologizes for her remarks. Nawaz has stressed she would not apologize for “defending” Punjab.
Amidst the rancor, a PMLN delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reached Zardari House. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were also in attendance.
Local media has reported that both sides urged the other to exercise restraint so the situation does not worsen. They have also agreed to speak directly before issuing public statements.
Earlier this week, as the tensions escalated, President Zardari called Naqvi and directed him to facilitate mediation between the parties. Despite this call, PPP leaders Palwasha Khan and Senator Waqar Mehdi addressed a press conference in which they accused Nawaz of trying to damage Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In response, Maryam said there were no rifts within the hierarchy of the PMLN leadership.