PMLN, PPP indulge in blame game on defamation bill

LAHORE: The PMLN and the PPP, the two allies in centre, have started blame-game over the controversial Defamation Bill, which has now become a law after acting governor Punjab signed it.

A TV interview of PMLN MNA Hanif Abbasi, in which he alleged that the PPP had an understanding with the Nawaz-League on the Defamation Bill, has gave birth to the blame-game afresh.

Abbasi said that everything regarding the Bill was done with consensus, and PMLN had also taken the PPP into confidence over the budget.

He said it was PPP's need to stay with the government, whereas the PMLN had no compulsion in this regard.

Later, the same day, PPP Central Punjab Secretary General Syed Hassan Murtaza, in a press conference, said that today if the PMLN was in government, it was only because of the PPP.

Flanked by Information Secretary Punjab Shehzad Saeed Cheema, he said the PPP had strong reservations on the recent budget and the Defamation Bill 2024.

He said the PPP had supported the PMLN only for the sake of democracy and strengthening country. "Seventy-three MNAs of the PPP are the lifeline of the incumbent government," added Murtaza.

To a question, the PPP leader said the Punjab governor and the Punjab Assembly speaker had agreed to address the reservations about the Defamation Bill together.

"It is not correct to accuse the PPP," he said and warned that Hanif Abbasi should stop fuelling politics of division and chaos.

He previously made reprehensible political statements against Shaheed Bhutto, said Murtaza.

He demanded the PMLN leadership should discourage Hanif Abbasi-like elements within their ranks.

Hassan Murtaza warned that anyone who makes derogatory statements against the PPP leadership in future would receive a befitting response.

He said the PMLN had not learnt any lessons from the past.

He added that the N-League had attacked LESCO, FESCO and PEPCO, adding that the PPP had severe reservations about the statements of N-League leaders.

Earlier, in a video message, Hassan Murtaza, while responding to a statement of Hanif Abbasi, said the PMLN was in power due to the support of PPP. He said if the PMLN lost support of the PPP, “you will not be in Prime Minister’s House, but in Adiala jail”.