PPP warns Punjab govt against playing ‘Punjab Card’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan on Tuesday cautioned the Punjab government against playing the “Punjab Card,” warning that such politics would only deepen divisions.

Speaking at a press conference outside Parliament House, Chan urged the Punjab government to refrain from divisive, language-based politics and focus on the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims. He was accompanied by MNA Syed Agha Rafi. “The PPP’s roots run deep in Punjab —our party was founded in Punjab,” Chan stated, issuing a stern warning against attempts to play the “Punjabi card.”

He strongly criticised recent comments by the PML-N’s provincial leadership on water and resources, labelling the rhetoric “Modi’s language.” He emphasised, “Pakistan belongs to everyone—water, electricity, gold, and gas are shared national resources. The gold of Balochistan and the ports of Sindh belong to all of us.” Chan argued that the provincial government’s to prioritise poverty alleviation and rebuilding communities affected by floods. He also defended his party’s unity, stating, “The PPP is united; there is no division,” while complaining that the government had repeatedly met their questions with accusations instead of answers. He pledged to continue fighting for the people of Punjab and urged the government to respond to the party’s concerns.

While noting that the PPP maintains good working relations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chan expressed concern that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appeared to be undermining that understanding. He reminded the leadership that the PPP had voted for Maryam Nawaz as chief minister and respects her as a “sister,” but criticised her recent statements. He urged her to focus on flood rehabilitation rather than confrontation.

On the subject of governance, Chan argued that Punjab was being run by a handful of bureaucrats instead of political representatives. “Punjab is being run by ‘two or three bureaucrats’... We want the rule of elected representatives, not the rule of Babus,” he said. He also demanded immediate announcement of local government elections in Punjab, reminding the administration of its binding agreement with the PPP.

Chan also warned against restricting the movement of farmers’ produce, insisting that the flow of wheat must not be obstructed. In a final appeal, Chan reminded the Punjab leadership that the PPP had supported the chief minister with its votes.“Even if you dislike the photograph of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, you must still help the flood victims. Abuse and taunts are not the answer,” he said.