LAHORE: The PPP, which disagrees with the PML-N administration on a number of topics, claimed on Sunday that the latter had agreed to most of its demands, including ending the political victimization of its employees and holding early local body elections in Punjab.
Speaker of the Punjab Assembly and leader of the PML-N, Malik Ahmad Khan, revealed to Dawn that his party had agreed to most of the PPP’s demands.
“There has been a consensus that the local government can solve basic problems for people, so legislation will be made in the Punjab Assembly for an effective local government system before going into the polls,” he stated in reference to the early local government elections.
He went on to say that it was also decided that PPP will receive a fair portion of the province’s development initiatives.
After a new round of talks between the two parties in Islamabad on Sunday, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan told reporters, “The impasse between the PML-N and PPP has ended as the former has promised to implement the agreement (reached between the two parties at the time of the formation of government).”
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab PA Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, PM’s Special Assistant Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique from PML-N, and PPP members Raja Pervez Ashraf, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Hasan Murtaza attended the meeting in Islamabad, which focused solely on Punjab-specific issues.
“In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also held a meeting, and the implementation of the agreement has begun,” Mr. Chan stated.
He stated that in addition to creating the foundation for the local government system, the PPP sought to put an end to the political victimization of its employees in Punjab.
“We want local body elections as soon as possible. All development expenditures should not be allocated to “certain constituencies,” according to the PPP. Mr. Chan stated that PPP should be included in the distribution of development funds and that development works should be completed throughout Punjab. He also mentioned that the PML-N has agreed to majority of PPP’s demands.
He noted that issues pertaining to other provinces and the allocation of PSDP funding were also being resolved and will be made public at a joint news conference by both parties in a day or two.
Another top PPP representative from Punjab told Dawn that the PPP’s primary worry in Punjab was that the Maryam-led administration was not holding its legislators and leaders accountable for their job.
The PPP leaders had complained to Mr. Bilawal about the provincial administration ignoring their efforts, particularly in south Punjab. They believe that because the party has roots in the South, its interests will suffer if its leaders and lawmakers do not fulfill their duties,” he said.
The PPP leader, who wished to remain anonymous, went on to say that because the PML-N had promised to take up the PPP’s complaints, focus points will now be assigned throughout Punjab in order to appease the MPs and PPP leaders.
Yousuf Raza Gilani, the leader of the PPP and the Senate chairman, had previously stated that the PPP would take into consideration joining the PML-N administration if it was granted a fair portion and room in Punjab by the provincial government.
At their first meeting on Friday, the parties promised to resolve any disagreements, including the PPP’s concerns about the recently released budget.
The PPP announced that it will convene every two weeks to review the PMLN government’s commitments on several issues.
