PPP Boycott Forces Government to Meet Demands
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the PML-N-led coalition, successfully boycotted the budget session, resulting in the government meeting all their demands to secure PPP’s support for the crucial 2024-25 budget vote.
Sources within PPP informed Business Recorder that the party agreed to back the government after the third round of negotiations. PPP had expressed concerns about being excluded from federal budget consultations.
A senior PPP leader revealed that the government conceded to prioritize PPP in development funds and administrative appointments in Punjab. The PML-N agreed to several demands, including equal distribution of development funds, appointments in district administrations, law officers, boards, authorities, and the early organization of local body elections.
The PML-N-led government will appoint an additional secretary at the Chief Minister’s Punjab secretariat to address PPP-specific issues. Additionally, district deputy commissioners, police officers, and revenue officers will be appointed in consultation with PPP in districts with substantial party support, such as Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, and Rajanpur.
The PPP also agreed to appoint PML-N-preferred deputy commissioners in some Sindh districts, despite the ruling party’s lack of representation there.
Reports on these discussions will be presented to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A written agreement will be signed upon mutual agreement.
PPP members Raja Pervez Ashraf, Ali Haider Gillani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Hassan Murtaza participated in the negotiations, while PML-N was represented by Punjab Assembly Speaker Ahmed Khan, Rana Sanaullah, and Khawaja Saad Rafique, among others.
