PPP won’t be ditched in time of stability: Dar

LAHORE/SUKKUR: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would remain a key ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) despite the latter securing a simple majority in the National Assembly as a result of the reserved seats ruling.

“PPP is and will remain our coalition partner,” said the deputy prime minister, recalling that without the PPP’s support, it would not have been possible to form a government following the 2024 general elections.

Talking to journalists at Data Darbar shrine here, Dar said that the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led party stood by the government during difficult times and the Nawaz Sharif-led party would not abandon it in the times of stability.

Responding to the reports that PMLN President Nawaz Sharif wanted to meet his chief political rival PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail, Dar dismissed the claims as “wish list”.

“These are all speculations. It must be someone’s wish list, as we need not meet anyone. The law will take its own course. Such sponsored news is spread deliberately,” he added.

However, the deputy prime minister said the ruling party was willing to work with all political parties, whether they are part of the government or the opposition.

To a question, he replied that the coalition partner has not demanded any ministerial portfolios from the PMLN.

His statement came after the Election Commission of Pakistan’s notification of reserved seats handed the ruling alliance a two-third majority in the lower house, as its strength rose from 218 to 235 members.

The ECP notification came in line with the top court’s Constitutional Bench ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was not entitled to seats reserved for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies, providing a lion’s share of the reserved seats to the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi rejected reports claiming the removal of Asif Ali Zardari as president, and enactment of the 27th constitutional amendment, saying that people should not pay heed to “social media speculations”.

He was addressing the media during his visit to Sindh’s Rohri city on the eve of Ashura.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Sukkur to inspect the security of the mourning procession in Rohri, inspected the routes and control room of the mourning procession.

While talking to media he said all the mourning processions being monitored and said that foolproof security plans have been devised to ensure peace during the Ashura mourning processions.

A journalist sought his comments on reports suggesting President Zardari was being removed from office and that another constitutional amendment was in the offing.

Denying the speculations, Naqvi advised against paying heed to the social media reports.

He also asked the media to refrain from political speculation for at least two days in respect for Ashura days.

“Some people are bothered as for the first time, politicians, government, and military establishment are on the same page. Those elements are spreading misleading narratives,” he said.

His statement came after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) obtained a simple majority in the National Assembly after the reinstatement of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan following the top court’s Constitutional Bench verdict. It also handed the ruling alliance a two-thirds majority in the lower house, as its strength rose from 218 to 235 members.