- The rift between the PPP and the PML-N intensified over the issue of the budget.
- Bilawal has refused to support the recently introduced Finance Bill.
- Next meeting to ensure resolution of problems
Islamabad: In a bid to iron out any disputes, there will be another round of talks on Monday with key leaders and ministers of the ruling coalition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Aiming to resolve their disagreements relating to the financial affairs of the country, news informed of.
The meeting will be led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will be attended by foreign ministers Bilawal Bhutto-Zardariassumes significant significance as it comes amid strong criticism from PPP leaders regarding the budget proposals for the next financial year.
Earlier, Bilawal – who is also the chairman of the PPP – had said that his party would not support the recently announced budget in the National Assembly unless the party’s commitments regarding flood-affected areas are respected.
The first high-level meeting between the two political entities, chaired by the Premier, took place earlier this week; However, the PPP chairman was unable to attend the meeting as he was out of Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Ahsan Iqbal and PPP leader and Water Resources Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah were present in the meeting.
CM Shah once again criticized the federal government for its unfulfilled promises in his speech in the Sindh assembly regarding the provincial budget on Saturday.
Still, Monday’s meeting would be another attempt to iron out differences between the federal and provincial governments of Sindh.
Sources have said that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some important persons, including Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, have gone to the UAE to meet him.
Asif Zardari may intervene and return earlier than planned due to rising tensions between the PML-N and the PPP. In an interesting development, some PML-N leaders have also started criticizing the PPP leadership. According to sources, this new trend may widen the gap between the two parties.
The federal government is ready to meet the demands of the Sindh government, but the necessary funds will be provided after receiving contributions from donors, as was done during a meeting in Geneva last year.
efforts made by Shahbaz led The administration has been successful in this matter.
Another well-placed source noted that the PPP could not oppose the national budget, and that it was highly unlikely to vote against the approved budget at a federal cabinet meeting, with the PPP chairman attending in his capacity as foreign minister. Liya, as well as four federal ministers from the party.
There will also be a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday (June 20). Foreign Minister Bilawal will attend the meeting. The cabinet meeting could not be held last week.
