Islamabad: People’s Party leader Shazia Murri has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating that the discussions were not fruitful.
In an appearance on Geo News’ program Geo Pakistan, Shazia Murri commented on the unproductive nature of the meeting. She emphasized that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remains committed to dialogue and anticipates future discussions. “We are not blackmailing anyone,” she clarified, “but we have expressed our reservations about the federal budget in a polite manner.”
Unresolved Issues and Future Negotiations
Shazia Murri highlighted the PPP’s concerns regarding the federal budget, which have not yet been addressed satisfactorily. She reiterated that while the meeting did not meet their expectations, the PPP remains open to further negotiations to resolve the issues at hand.
Government’s Perspective
Contrasting Murri’s remarks, Rana Sanaullah, also speaking on Geo Pakistan, provided a different perspective on the meeting. According to Sanaullah, the meeting between the Prime Minister and Bilawal Bhutto was conducted in a pleasant atmosphere. He noted that all government matters, including the budget and the governance of Punjab, were discussed comprehensively. Furthermore, two committees were formed to tackle these issues, and a follow-up meeting was scheduled for the next day to ensure matters are settled through mutual understanding.
Sanaullah dismissed allegations of PPP being sidelined, stating that the PPP is deeply involved in all government affairs, not just holding ministries but also participating actively in governance.
Assurance of Cooperation
Despite the meeting’s shortcomings, Bilawal Bhutto assured the government of the PPP’s cooperation in the approval of the budget. This assurance is crucial as it underscores the PPP’s willingness to work with the government despite the unresolved issues.
Load Shedding and Law and Order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The program also touched on the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where load shedding has become a significant problem. Rana Sanaullah attributed the load shedding to the theft of electricity and low payment of bills in the region. He expressed his disapproval of the recent seizure of a grid station in KP, marking the second occurrence of such an incident.
Sanaullah stressed that this act challenges the writ of the state, which must be upheld at all costs. He criticized the lack of legal action taken by the Home Minister and the Energy Minister after the first seizure, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement to prevent future occurrences.
The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, intended to resolve critical issues, ended with mixed outcomes. While the PPP expressed dissatisfaction and concerns over the federal budget, the government maintained that the discussions were productive and conducted in a cordial atmosphere. The formation of committees and scheduled follow-up meetings indicate ongoing efforts to address the unresolved issues.
The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape, with load shedding and law enforcement challenges highlighting the need for more stringent measures. As the PPP continues to push for its reservations to be addressed, the government’s response and the outcomes of the upcoming meetings will be crucial in determining the future course of Pakistan’s political dynamics.
