ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Wednesday sharply criticised the Punjab Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2025, terming it a “question mark on democracy” and warning that non-party local elections would effectively amount to pre-poll rigging.
Despite its strong objections, the PPP announced that it would still participate in the upcoming local bodies elections to uphold the democratic process.
“Had the governor not signed the bill, critics would have accused us of opposing democracy. Despite our reservations, we respected the parliamentary procedure,” said PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza at a press conference held at the party’s Central Secretariat in Islamabad, alongside Ayesha Nawaz Chaudhry.
Murtaza said the PPP would soon unveil its election strategy, reiterating that the party would not leave the democratic field open. “Even if our concerns are ignored, we will not boycott the process. The PPP will contest the polls — but with clear reservations,” he stressed.
He added that the party had no intention of derailing democracy but expected mutual respect and political decency from its allies. “The Central Executive Committee discussed all matters transparently and reached decisions through consensus. The Punjab government’s spokespersons must choose their words carefully,” he cautioned.
While highlighting PPP’s history of political maturity, Murtaza remarked that the Punjab government and CM Maryam Nawaz’s team often adopt a harsh tone. “We are used to their impolite style — it’s ingrained in their subconscious. Still, their spokespersons should speak responsibly,” he remarked.
He further noted that although parliament now completes its constitutional term, governments continue to struggle with stability, saying that democracy in Pakistan still has a long way to mature.
Touching on climate concerns, the PPP leader urged the federal and provincial governments to treat climate change as a national emergency, warning that Punjab and the rest of the country are paying the price for global emissions. “We are not seeking charity but demanding climate compensation from industrialised nations. Pakistan must raise its voice for climate justice at international forums,” he asserted.
Hasan Murtaza also raised serious concerns over the Punjab government’s wheat procurement policy, questioning who would purchase the crop and under what mechanism following the dissolution of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). He said although the government had fixed the wheat support price at Rs3,500 per 40kg, the real beneficiaries would be middlemen rather than farmers. “Today, wheat is not with the growers — it is with the middlemen. The government’s procurement will only benefit them, not the cultivators,” he remarked, adding that PASSCO was abolished without justification despite being financially viable.
Murtaza acknowledged that the government had partially accepted the PPP’s demand for raising the wheat support price. “We had demanded Rs4,000 per 40kg. While that was not fully met, the increase to Rs3,500 shows our voice was heard,” he said, thanking the prime minister and Punjab chief minister for their acknowledgment.
He noted, however, that when the wheat harvest began, the government suspended procurement, forcing farmers to sell their produce at Rs1,800 per 40kg while the market rate was Rs3,900. “Farmers suffered huge losses, and if such policies persist, the agriculture sector will face collapse,” he warned.
The PPP leader also urged the Punjab government to consult coalition partners on major decisions, expressing displeasure that the party was not taken into confidence on critical issues, including reports of withdrawal of security from Bilawal House in Lahore. “We learned about it through the media — there was no official communication,” he said.
He further lamented that the government ignored PPP’s proposed flood relief plan, which recommended using the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) database to deliver aid directly to affected farmers. “Instead of adopting our suggestion, the government politicised it,” he said, adding that the chief minister was misinformed by officials during flood operations and provided with incorrect data.
Murtaza said the government’s limited response capacity left many farmers without assistance. “Immediate cash aid was necessary, but the response remained inadequate,” he added.
Turning to environmental concerns, Murtaza raised alarm over severe air pollution and smog in Lahore, saying, “Breathing in the city has become difficult. The Rs5,000 per acre relief is meaningless when a single bag of DAP fertilizer costs Rs15,000. Agricultural research centres have failed to provide quality seeds, leaving farmers helpless.”
He concluded by urging the federal and provincial governments to pursue climate justice at international forums.
Reacting to the press conference, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari urged the PPP leadership to take notice of Hasan Murtaza’s press conference.
Azma questioned whether Murtaza is conspiring against his own party’s leadership, stating that the PPP must decide whether to remain silent or should her party react.
She took aim at Murtaza, she lamented PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari failed to keep “defeated elements” within the party in check. She accused certain PPP leaders, particularly those who faced electoral losses in Punjab, of being unable to accept PMLN’s success and stability in government.
Highlighting the PPP’s contradictory stance, Azma Bokhari remarked, “On one hand, the PPP chants slogans of democracy, but on the other, it never misses an opportunity to malign our leadership.” She called on the PPP’s top brass to address Murtaza’s remarks promptly, warning that such statements could undermine the party’s credibility.