PML-N and PPP Tensions May Ease with Leadership Talks, Says Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD: Rana Sanaullah, the adviser to the prime minister on political matters, stated on Tuesday that the existing strain between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) could diminish if key figures like Asif Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif, or Nawaz Sharif engaged in direct discussions.

During his appearance on a news program, Sanaullah, a PML-N leader, mentioned that the two parties frequently find common ground despite their political disparities. “We have collaborated in the past and have jointly undertaken struggles,” he remarked, adding that while the PPP and PML-N are competing political entities, they are not adversaries.

The exchange of heated words, which started over compensation for flood victims via the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), escalated between the PPP and PML-N after the Punjab CM alleged that certain parties exploited the flood’s devastation in the province for their own political advantage.

Previously, PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf withdrew from the National Assembly session, asserting that his party would abstain from participating in the proceedings until they received an explanation regarding the remarks made by Punjab ministers concerning Sindh.

Recognizing the division between the PPP and PML-N, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser extended his party’s support to the former in initiating a vote of no confidence in the assembly.

In related developments, sources indicate that President Asif Ali Zardari has delegated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to facilitate a reconciliation between the political factions.

Naqvi is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, where he will urge the prime minister to intervene and de-escalate the rising tensions between the two parties.

During the program, Rana Sanaullah pointed out that the recent remarks made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto in a press conference were deemed objectionable, as they seemingly suggested that the Punjab government was underperforming.

“His statements caused displeasure among the Punjab chief minister,” Sanaullah noted, further stating that it was the duty of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to address any questions raised regarding the province’s administration.

He clarified that CM Maryam is not only the chief minister of Punjab but also a leader within the party, and every member stands up for their leadership. “If anyone is capable of advising Bilawal, it is Asif Zardari, and similarly, if anyone can engage in discussions with Maryam, it would be Shehbaz or Nawaz Sharif,” he added.

On the same show, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira stressed the importance of identifying the origin of the ongoing disagreement between the two parties.

He reminded viewers that the PPP had provided support to the government during the floods and that PPP Chairman Bilawal had commended the Punjab government’s efforts during his visits to Kasur and Multan.

“Bilawal only suggested offering financial assistance to farmers who had lost everything, similar to what was previously done through BISP,” Kaira explained. He emphasized that Bilawal had not encouraged anyone to seek external assistance and that the PPP had no desire for the situation to worsen.

Kaira accused the PML-N of violating several provisions of the agreement established during the formation of the government, adding that the leadership in Punjab had displayed inflexibility on crucial issues.

“Our issue is with the PML-N, not the federal government,” he declared, adding that CM Maryam’s tone was regrettable and that responding in a similar manner would only damage ties. He also noted that if the tone of the conversation became hostile, the relations between the two allies would also suffer.