LAHORE: The war of words between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) over the rehabilitation of flood victims shows no signs of easing.
PML-N leader and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on Wednesday asked the PPP to avoid allegations and instead compete on the basis of performance.
Talking to a private TV channel, Bukhari said the PPP was unnerved by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “outstanding performance.”
She said that the PML-N welcomed constructive advice from coalition partners, but the PPP had chosen to play politics instead of offering suggestions.
PML-N, PPP continue to spar over helping flood victims
“We are not taking foreign aid, so why is there unnecessary pressure? It is inappropriate for one province to interfere in administrative affairs or try to score political points,” she said, adding that flood victims should not be limited only to those registered with the Benazir Income Support Programme.
She recalled that when Sindh faced devastating floods, the PML-N did not resort to political statements, but now the PPP was engaging in point scoring in Punjab.
“If the PPP wants to compete, it should do so on performance, not by levelling accusations,” she added.
Bukhari stressed that the alliance between the PML-N and PPP was delivering stability and progress, but warned that the PML-N had not forgotten past instances when the PPP walked away from governments.
PPP supported govt in good faith: Kaira
Meanwhile, PPP senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that his party’s past experience of parting ways with the PML-N government was still fresh in memory, but it had chosen not to destabilise the current setup given the country’s fragile situation.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Kaira said that the PPP had extended support to the government in good faith, without demanding ministries, but regretted that several clauses of agreements with the government had not been implemented.
“We are not in a power-sharing arrangement. We supported the government without taking ministries, but that does not mean giving a blank cheque,” Kaira said.
He said that the PPP’s approach was to find solutions to the country’s problems.
“We have supported the government at every step, not as a favour, but because we too represent Punjab. But whenever we give a suggestion, they take offence,” he remarked.
Kaira said Pakistan had long faced crises, from terrorism to border tensions, and every government had struggled to cope.
He said that raising unnecessary questions in recent days benefited neither democracy nor politics. “We supported the government in times of war and crisis, but that does not mean we will remain silent on everything the PML-N does.”
He noted that a dialogue had recently begun between the PPP and Punjab government, and while the PPP wanted to move past past grievances, the PML-N should avoid language that could create problems. “Bilawal Bhutto is handling matters with great patience,” he added.
Kaira also said the recent floods had caused massive destruction, with both Punjab and Sindh governments working effectively. “We praised them where credit was due, but we will also point out shortcomings,” he said, adding that the chief minister’s dismissive attitude — such as saying she would “break fingers” raised in criticism — was unhelpful.
The PPP leader stressed that his party had stood by the Punjab government during the floods, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, the Punjab governor, and other leaders meeting victims and providing relief.