President Asif Ali Zardari has stepped in to ease tensions between the Sindh and Punjab governments after a heated exchange over flood relief efforts turned into a public debate challenge between top provincial leaders.
According to sources, President Zardari spoke with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi over the phone and discussed the escalating rift between the two provinces.
The president has summoned the interior minister to Karachi for an immediate consultation on the matter.
Officials said Zardari emphasised the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and coordination at both federal and provincial levels. He is expected to review the situation and propose measures to de-escalate political tensions.
Debate over flood relief sparks political clash
The latest friction stems from disagreements over flood relief operations following devastating floods that displaced millions across the country. Both Sindh and Punjab governments have accused each other of mismanagement and lack of transparency.
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The dispute intensified when PPP leader and MNA Sharmila Farooqi, in a morning show last week, criticized Punjab’s handling of relief operations and challenged the province to a performance comparison.
Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari swiftly responded, accepting the challenge and asserting that Punjab had maintained a transparent and systematic relief mechanism. She said, “We are ready to present every record. Those politicizing the victims’ suffering are, in fact, their real enemies.”
Sindh counters with its own challenge
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon hit back during a press conference, urging the Punjab government to bring proof of its claims. He stated that “facts cannot be hidden through speeches; the public can see how many people are still living in tents.”
In reply, Punjab’s Uzma Bukhari once again accepted the challenge, saying, “The place and time of the debate are yours to decide — I will come myself and not hide behind anyone.”
Adding to the heated exchange, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s spokesperson and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab criticized Punjab’s stance. He said the debate should not overshadow the real issue — serving flood victims.
Wahab suggested forming an independent commission to audit relief efforts instead of engaging in televised debates, stressing that “this is not the time for politics but for service.”
Meanwhile, Aseefa Bhutto also emphasized that neglecting to use the Benazir Income Support Programme for flood relief would be “gross negligence.”
