PMLN and PPP Move Forward with Power-Sharing Agreement in Punjab
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has assured the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that it will consider the latter’s demands related to Punjab. Both parties have agreed on a power-sharing formula in the province and will now send reports to their respective leaderships for a final decision, expected to be formally announced today (Monday).
On Sunday, representatives from both parties held a meeting to discuss the power-sharing formula, particularly focusing on issues in South Punjab. The PPP was represented by Raja Parvez Ashraf, Ali Haider Gillani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Hassan Murtaza, while the PMLN was represented by Punjab Assembly Speaker Ahmed Khan, Rana Sanaullah, and Khawaja Saad Rafique, among others.
Sources indicated that the PMLN assured the PPP it would consider their demands. PPP Punjab senior leader Hassan Murtaza confirmed that negotiations had progressed positively and that both parties would now seek approval from their leaderships.
Following the meeting, senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan expressed optimism about the discussions, noting that they had moved in a positive direction. He stated that the PPP’s demands concerning political space in Punjab and local government elections were being considered. The PPP wants the local government system to be devised by the PMLN government in Punjab with PPP’s input included. Chan mentioned that a final decision would be announced by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari by Monday or Tuesday.
It was agreed to form monitoring committees from both parties to review the implementation of agreed matters, with meetings to be held every 15 days.
The PPP has requested representation in various government committees in Punjab, including market committees, Zakat committees, and Baitul Mal committees. They have also demanded administrative empowerment across all districts of Punjab and representation and chairmanship in standing committees at the assembly level.
Meanwhile, PPP Secretary General Senator Taj Haider commented that while the government had accepted the PPP’s demands, they had yet to fulfill them. He stressed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should ensure that the commitments made during negotiations are honored. Haider emphasized the importance of these commitments, highlighting the PPP’s support for the PMLN to protect democracy and prevent anarchy. He also expressed concerns about the privatization of national assets like PIA and Steel Mills, stating that the PPP could not support such measures.
Haider reiterated the need for the government to honor its commitments, noting that the PPP’s demands were still unmet and that they could not join the government without addressing these issues.
