The PPP-PML(N) coalition government, formed after the February 2023 elections, is already showing cracks that suggest a looming breakdown. What was initially hailed as a “marriage of convenience” to sideline Imran Khan and prevent his return to power is rapidly unravelling, with growing political tensions spilling into the public eye.

Growing Grievances Between PPP and PML-N

The tensions between the two largest political parties in the coalition have been simmering for months. Despite efforts to present a unified front, both sides have been quietly airing grievances that seem to have been ignored or dismissed by their coalition partner. PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has voiced numerous concerns, ranging from insufficient representation in key bodies like the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to the lack of fair political space for their workers in Punjab.

The PML-N, while in control of key government positions, has failed to adequately address these concerns, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction within the PPP ranks. This growing discontent is compounded by more serious issues, such as proposed projects affecting the Indus River and Cholistan. PPP is particularly concerned about the construction of six canals on the Indus, fearing that this would render vast agricultural lands in Sindh barren — a topic that has sparked protests and drawn attention from local leaders.

The Unmet Promises and Rising Tensions

Further fueling the rift are broken promises. Ishaq Dar, a senior PML-N leader, had assured Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that both parties would sit down to resolve their differences. Yet, these promises appear to have been disregarded, leaving PPP feeling increasingly marginalized. This breach of trust highlights a deeper issue — when two long-standing political rivals come together not out of mutual ideological alignment but to block a common enemy, the alliance can only hold for so long before it starts to fracture.

The ongoing resentment has reached a point where the issue of resource allocation is also at the forefront. PPP members complain, much like during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, that their share of resources is being disproportionately allocated, leaving Sindh and other PPP strongholds at a disadvantage. These issues are exacerbated by the political pressure of maintaining a fragile government during an already tumultuous period in Pakistan’s history.

A Historic Rivalry That Can’t Be Ignored

The history between PPP and PML-N is well-known in Pakistani politics, marked by decades of animosity, power struggles, and bitter rivalries. The two parties have alternated in power, and their leaders — Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif — have exchanged numerous political blows over the years. It’s no surprise that this coalition, held together by little more than a shared desire to exclude Imran Khan from power, was always a fragile one.

PPP’s strategic moves during the formation of the current government, including the support given to PML-N, were aimed at ensuring the downfall of Khan’s leadership. Yet, as Zardari famously said, “we know how to make as well as break governments.” With these words echoing in the background, it’s clear that PPP has maintained a degree of control over the situation, but at what cost?

Will the Coalition Survive?

For now, the leaders of both parties are at a crossroads. The growing public visibility of their differences, especially as they play out in the media and on social media platforms, is weakening the coalition’s credibility. However, the old guards in both PPP and PML-N, seasoned political veterans, are likely to step in to negotiate and attempt to salvage the partnership. If these negotiations fail, it could lead to a rapid disintegration of the government at a time when the country is grappling with economic instability, national security concerns, and political unrest.

The pressure to keep the coalition intact is immense, as a government collapse would likely result in further political chaos. PPP and PML-N will have to decide whether their long-standing rivalry will continue to drive them apart or whether they can set aside their differences for the sake of stability.

Conclusion: A Political Marriage at a Breaking Point

The PPP-PML-N alliance, which once seemed a necessary arrangement to keep Imran Khan out of power, is showing signs of reaching its natural conclusion. The issues between the two parties — ranging from unaddressed grievances to broken promises — are quickly escalating. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether this coalition can survive, or whether it will unravel, leaving Pakistan in the hands of new political dynamics.

Both PML-N and PPP need to realize that any further public breaches and disagreements will only serve to weaken the coalition, and by extension, Pakistan at a very critical juncture. For now, the marriage of convenience is at a tipping point, and both sides must decide whether they can continue to patch things up or whether their political differences will finally tear them apart.