Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-level delegation to ease tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The move comes after political differences escalated following recent statements by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
According to reports on Wednesday, the government delegation, led by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has reached Nawabshah to meet President Asif Ali Zardari. The team also includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. The purpose of the visit is to clarify PML-N’s position and address PPP’s reservations in a direct meeting.
Political strain between the two allies increased after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the Punjab government’s response to flood victims, which Maryam Nawaz did not welcome. Despite the differences, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah stated that the two parties are not enemies and have worked together on many occasions. He stressed that the PML-N does not want to respond with hostility, even if disagreements arise.
Sanaullah added that Maryam Nawaz has every right to comment on Punjab’s affairs and emphasized that the government’s priority is to maintain cooperation with the PPP.
The high-level meeting in Nawabshah is seen as an important step to reduce tensions and restore working relations between the coalition partners.
