Lahore:
Sources inside the PPP have revealed that the party wants to keep pressure on the PML-N to keep its promises by maintaining its independent identity in order to take advantage of any sudden winds of change in the country. However, this does not mean that it is breaking the watery deal that was made to form the current set-up.
Sources say that the committees of the two parties met again recently to address the concerns of the PPP regarding the fulfillment of the promises, but the talks ended without any progress.
The next meeting is expected after the CEC meeting of the People’s Party. It is not the first time that negotiations are taking place in the committees from both sides.
The talks were preceded by a round of meetings in Punjab which ended somewhat in embarrassment for the PPP as the PML-N government in Punjab ignored the PPP’s pressure to meet the demands and adopted a non-serious attitude. .
The leaders of the two parties have met several times on the negotiation committees, but no progress has been made regarding the efforts to fulfill the promises for unity.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Qamar-ul-Zaman Kaira, the leader of the People’s Party from Punjab, said that the whole story of the party’s desire to carve out some space for itself in Punjab is only a means to ensure its independent identity.
There are some people in the party who are advocating for some participation in the government, but the fact is that the Muslim League-N will not give any political space to anyone. So it will not be politically beneficial.
He said that the PPP should be in a position where it should take advantage of PTI’s decline and keep options open to take advantage of any opportunity in this regard.
He said that the first choice for voters is Muslim League-N while the second option is People’s Party. With PML-N’s B team remaining, they will not let them take advantage of this loss.
This is the reason why it is important to express reservations when necessary. He said that some genuine grievances were also under discussion, one of which was the issue of canal construction, on which the attitude of the PML-N was bitter and they opposed it.
The PPP is fully aware of the limitations of the PMLN in its government, especially when it comes to matters relating to or related to the establishment.
Asked about the PPP’s jibe at the government over internet restrictions, he said the internet blackout is a classic case that helps to understand his policy.
He said that the PML-G government has been blocking the internet intermittently since the beginning of the year, but despite this, the People’s Party is silent on it. However, when the PPP got an opportunity in the assembly, it gave a strong response to its allies. Regarding being weak, he said that if the establishment supports us, the PPP can take its own path on any day of the week, but at this stage. But PML-N is not in their favor.
He said that the People’s Party has no desire to topple the PML-N government, but if a situation arises in which another party has to take over the reins of the country, it will not back down.
He said that there is hope that we will form the government in 2028 but currently there is no plan to try our luck. If talking about purely public issues helps the People’s Party to maintain an independent identity, then there is no harm in it, the People’s Party is pushing the government to solve the people’s problems.
It was like killing two birds with one arrow, the PPP genuinely wants the PML-N to implement its 25-point documentary agreement. We will keep assuring them to abide by the agreements, but it seems that the PML-N is deviating from its promises.
He said that water distribution is an important issue. There is a formula for water distribution and no government can change it unilaterally.
If Punjab wants to build new canals, the matter should be brought to the Council of Common Interests. Regarding the talks with the PTI, he said that the People’s Party has also been in favor of solving the problems through negotiations and table talk. The opportunity should be seized and talks should be held with PTI to bring political stability in the country.
