Eid break precedes third round of key PPP-PMLN talks

ISLAMABAD: Following two rounds of talks between the PPP and the PML-N, regarding the PPP’s reservations over not being consulted on the budget, and for political space in Punjab, informal contact continued between the two parties to bring the formal third round of negotiations that will start immediately after Eid to a positive conclusion.

Though some reports had earlier suggested that backdoor contact had been initiated between the two parties, PPP sources clarify that there is no need for that when both sides are already meeting officially.

Sources had earlier suggested that, after the formal first two rounds of talks between the two parties, there had been several contacts between the PPP and the government through backchannels. The idea was to move towards a positive conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between the two by removing the PPP’s reservations.

During the meeting held between the PPP and PML-N last Thursday, the PPP reiterated that it had agreed to support government formation in the larger national interest after intense negotiations. As part of the PPP and PML-N’s agreement at the time, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of all four provinces was pre-agreed with the government.

During the last meeting, the PPP was also of the view that had it been taken onboard, it would have been able to positively contribute to the government’s budget-making process. The PPP had also communicated that the government needed to resolve issues raised by the PPP regarding both federal matters that come under the prime minister and those related to Punjab that come under the Punjab chief minister.

Sources in the PPP say the party engaged with the PML-N to ensure that their agreement is implemented and any future misunderstandings can be avoided. The PPP is still sticking to its demands, say sources, and wants its concerns addressed so that things can move towards a resolution in the formal talks.