PMLN, PPP agree on power-sharing formula in Punjab

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The PMLN has assured PPP it will consider the latter’s demands related to Punjab.

Both the parties agreed on power sharing formula in Punjab and now they will send reports to their respective leaderships for the final decision, which is expected to be announced formally today (Monday).

A meeting of the PPP and PMLN was held here on Sunday in which the power sharing formula in Punjab, especially the issues of south Punjab, were discussed.

Raja Parvez Ashraf, Ali Haider Gillani, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Hassan Murtaza from the PPP participated in the forum. The PMLN was represented by Punjab Assembly Speaker Ahmed Khan, Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique among others.

The sources said the PMLN assured the PPP it will accept its demands.

When contacted, PPP’s Punjab senior leader Hassan Murtaza, who was a part of the PPP committee in the negotiations with PMLN, said the negotiations had moved ahead with positive approach and now both the parties would send reports to their leaderships for final decision.

Asked about reports that termed PMLN had accepted PPP’s demands, Hassan Murtaza replied that the PMLN had acknowledged the demands as genuine and assured of considering the same.

Talking to the media after the committee meeting, senior leader of PPP Nadeem Afzal Chan said there was a pleasant conversation and things had moved in the positive direction. He said the PPP’s demand on political space was related to Punjab affairs and talks were going on to implement the written agreement. The issue of the local government elections was also under discussion. The PPP wants the system of local government should be devised by the PMLN government in Punjab and PPP’s input should also be included in it. “The final decision will be announced by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari by Monday or Tuesday,” he said.

It was agreed to form monitoring committees in both parties to review the implementation of agreed matters. The meeting of the proposed committees will be held every 15 days.

Meanwhile, according to power sharing formula that was discussed between PPP and PMLN, the PPP has demanded share in committees of government departments in Punjab and representation in market committees and Zakat committees besides Baitul Mal committees. Sources said the PPP had also demanded representation in various committees and task forces at the government level. The PPP demanded it should be empowered at the administrative level in all the districts of Punjab and given representation and chairmanship in the standing committees at the assembly level.

Meanwhile, PPP Secretary General Senator Taj Haider has said the government has accepted the demands of PPP but not fulfilled them yet. “Basic problems still exist, the government representatives holding negotiations with us must honour their words. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a man of commitment and honours his words,” said Senator Taj Haider while talking to The News. “We supported PMLN to save the country from anarchy and to protect democracy.”

Senator Taj Haider said people ask us why don’t we join the government but how can we support privatisation of our national assets like PIA and Steel Mills?

The PPP secretary general went on to say that the government must honour its commitments made when the agreement between the two sides was being signed. He appreciated PM Shehbaz Sharif for fulfilling his commitment but at the same time expressed regret the members representing the government in the dialogue committee were acting otherwise.

“If we had become a part of the government, we would have to answer the nation about its queries and concerns towards the budget,” said Taj. He stated the PPP demands were yet to be met.