ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has boycotted the National Assembly and threatened to withdraw its support from the federal government, protesting the Punjab Chief Minister’s remarks and what it calls a lack of respect from the PML-N.
Speaking on the assembly floor before leading his party’s walkout, Naveed Qamar said the PPP leadership was being taunted for supporting the government but received only disrespect in return. “We will not become part of the proceedings of the House if the same situation continues and is not improved,” he announced. He stated it was becoming very difficult to continue supporting the government under these circumstances. “This is not a partnership, and we are also not receiving any fees for it,” he maintained.
PTI-supported members welcomed the PPP senior parliamentarian’s announcement by thumping their desks. Sensing the situation, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the proceedings without conducting any business until Friday morning. Tuesday was a private members’ day, and 10 private members’ bills were on the agenda for consideration and passage, alongside the introduction of seven other bills.
Naveed Qamar also registered his protest against the Punjab Chief Minister’s statement on the issue of flood and water. “In response to our positive suggestions, when she said, ‘It is our money, our water and our desire, and we will create canals,’” he regretted. The PPP parliamentarian said he was pained to hear the statement from the Punjab Chief Minister in which she said it was Punjab’s water and canals would be created. “The Indus River is the lifeline of the country; it benefits all the provinces and no province alone can stake its rights over it,” he argued. “Why do you make it an issue of Punjab’s money and Punjab’s water?” he asked.
He made it clear that the PPP would continue to support the PML-N-led government for the sake of national interests, but only if its leadership gets respect. “We are not part of the coalition government and do not desire ministries, but we should at least get respect and weight for our opinions,” he said. Qamar clarified that the PPP is not the government’s coalition partner but could give proposals as an ally, and it is up to the government to implement them or not. “But why do you take it as criticism and make it an issue of Punjab and Sindh?” he asked. He said the growers’ community is affected by flood, need immediate relief and compensation, but unfortunately, a political game had started instead. He insisted the government could not absolve itself of its responsibilities to help the affected population. Qamar pointed out that while PPP leadership was also involved in political statements, the PML-N leadership had escalated the matter needlessly. He recalled that Bilawal Bhutto had visited Punjab and praised the chief minister for her government’s good work.
He stated that Sindh province had suffered from the worst floods in the last year and that its government had experience in rehabilitating the population. “We make payments in cash to help people and have developed rain-affected housing,” he said. Drawing from its experiences in Sindh the PPP floated suggestions to the Punjab Government in good faith but faced criticism in return.
In response, the Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, apologised for any remarks that hurt the PPP leadership. “The opposition does not need to enjoy this, as the unity between PPP and PML-N will continue and all issues will be resolved amicably,” he said, adding that a war of words is part of politics.
He expressed confidence that the top leadership of the two parties would sit together to resolve the issues. “Our alliance is an alliance of a similar mindset and an alliance of democratic forces,” he said. As the Minister for Law said he, along with other ministers, was going to convince the PPP members to return to the house, the Chair announced the adjournment of the proceedings.