The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is dealing with internal disagreements about whether to join the new government in Punjab alongside the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Some members want to join the coalition, while others strongly oppose it.
After the general elections on February 8, talks about forming the government have heated up, especially within the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
At a recent CEC meeting led by PPP chairman Bilawal and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, there were arguments from both sides. Many members, especially from Punjab, support joining the provincial government and negotiating for the PPP’s benefit. They think this could help the party gain strength in the province.
However, some members strongly oppose aligning with the PML-N. They question the legitimacy of the PML-N’s recent majority and suggest that staying in opposition at the federal level would make the PPP stronger and hold the government accountable.
Sources familiar with the discussions say that some CEC members believe the PPP should negotiate to join the Punjab government on its own terms. They argue that for the PPP to become influential in Punjab again, it’s important to be strategically placed within the provincial government. However, others disagree and say the PPP should avoid collaborating with the PML-N.
During the meeting, Asif Zardari left after just 20 minutes, leaving Bilawal Bhutto to convey the party’s stance. Bilawal acknowledged the PPP’s concerns about the election processes in 2013 and 2018 but accepted the recent election results.
Bilawal Bhutto said not all members had a chance to express their opinions fully during the meeting and that discussions would continue the next day. Another round of the PPP Central Executive Committee meeting was scheduled for the afternoon.
