After significant progress in negotiations between the PML-N and the People's Party, the latter retracted its decision to boycott the parliament's budget sessions.
According to sources, no decision has been made yet regarding the PPP voting on the budget. However, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has directed all party members in the National Assembly to ensure their attendance in the budget session.
On Friday, the first meeting of the new negotiation committees formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto took place at the Prime Minister House. The PPP's written proposals regarding the implementation on a power-sharing agreement were discussed item by item for four hours, but the meeting ended without a final conclusion.
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According to sources, the PPP delegation is expressing reservations regarding administrative positions in south Punjab. It also complained about the non-compliance with the partnership agreement and emphasized the importance of increasing the development funds of Punjab and releasing the funds soon.
The government delegation assured the PPP that all of its complaints would be addressed.
The ruling party delegation included Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique, and Malik Ahmed Khan. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb participated through a video link.
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The PPP team consisted of Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Khursheed Shah, Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Ali Haider Gilani, and Nadeem Afzal Chan.
In a bid to ease tensions between the ruling PML-N and its major coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal had agreed to continue negotiations at the committee level. This decision came during a meeting on Thursday where both leaders sought to address and resolve existing grievances.
During the meeting, a PPP delegation led by Bilawal met with Prime Minister Sharif.
Bilawal expressed concerns over the non-implementation of the power-sharing agreement, highlighting issues such as the PPP’s limited influence in Punjab and lack of administrative positions and funds. He also pointed out that significant development projects in Sindh were overlooked in the federal budget.
