President Asif Ali Zardari will directly engage with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on matters pertaining to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
According to details surfaced on Friday, the PPP's central executive committee (CEC) held its meeting at Zardari House in Islamabad. On this occasion, the special committee briefed the members about negotiations with the government.
The PPP’s CEC decided that the PPP's committees would not hold talks with the PML-N, but now matters would be discussed directly between the senior leaders of both parties.
Sources divulged that discussions were held regarding the power-sharing formula in Punjab. The PPP’s CEC expressed its reservations over the “violation” of written agreements by the government.
The PPP CEC members expressed their anger at not being taken on board over key national matters.
Moreover, the CEC meeting opposed the construction of new canals on the Indus River. “The government is not addressing our reservations regarding the canals,” said the PPP CEC members.
The CEC urged the government to address the matter regarding the canals at a high level.
Meanwhile, the CEC members raised objections to the alliance with the government. “What purpose does the alliance serve if the government is not giving any value to the PPP?”
The CEC members rued, “How will we return to the masses if the alliance with the government continues?”
“We are becoming part of the mistakes by continuing the alliance with the PML-N,” the CEC meeting stated.
The members added, “What can be said about an alliance where we are excluded?”
PPP's Central Executive Committee Approves Resolution
The PPP's CEC convened a crucial meeting in Islamabad, where a resolution was unanimously approved addressing pressing national concerns.
Moreover, the meeting endorsed the recommendations presented during the All Parties Conference (APC), convened earlier by the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and commended the efforts made in this regard.
The resolution urged the provincial and federal governments to implement the APC’s proposals without delay. A particular focus was placed on the deteriorating situation in Kurram, with an immediate call for the restoration of peace.
“Roads must be reopened without further delay to ensure the delivery of essential aid to the affected areas,” the resolution stated.
The committee also demanded local government elections in Punjab and at the federal level, in line with the PPP-government agreement.
Furthermore, it voiced deep concern over the prolonged postponement of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, which has been delayed for 11 months. “The matter of disputed canal constructions must be raised at the CCI urgently,” the resolution emphasised.
In addition, the CEC expressed alarm over anti-labour measures within organisations such as PWD and Utility Stores, calling for immediate redressal. The government's agricultural policies faced severe criticism, with the resolution noting, “It is concerning that farmers have not received any form of assistance.”
The federal government was urged to release funds immediately for the rehabilitation of flood victims in Balochistan.
The CEC also condemned Indian atrocities in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, demanding the international community grant Kashmiris their right to self-determination under United Nations resolutions.
The resolution further stressed the need to respect the ownership rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, urging prompt action to address their demands.
