Shazia Marri, a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has warned that the party may withdraw its support from the federal government due to a lack of trust in crucial decisions. She emphasized that if PPP pulls its support, the federal government would collapse.
In her statement, Marri strongly criticized the federal government’s decision regarding the Maritime and Shipping Port Authority, noting that the PPP was repeatedly excluded from important decisions, including the establishment of this authority. She revealed that both the Sindh government and PPP were kept uninformed about the authority’s creation.
Marri emphasized that as long as the PPP backs the federal government, it will remain in power, but once that support is withdrawn, the government will no longer exist. She also pointed out that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) might not fully grasp this reality, despite PPP’s repeated calls for the convening of the National Interest Council, which has not met in eleven months.
The PPP spokesperson also condemned Prime Minister’s ongoing violation of the constitution, citing the Prime Minister’s legal obligation to call the Council of Common Interests every three months. This disregard for the constitution is concerning, according to Marri.
She demanded that the establishment of the Maritime and Shipping Port Authority be addressed at the Council of Common Interests, stressing that major national decisions should not be made without consulting allies and provinces. Marri also pointed out that the federal government’s actions are unclear and could lead to further divisions.
She called for governance based on constitutional and legal principles, with decisions on maritime matters and port authority recommendations made through consultations with allies and provinces.
Earlier, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, who belongs to PPP, claimed that the political alliance between PPP and PML-N had harmed PPP in Punjab, predicting that the PML-N would now face the consequences of this partnership.
Khan, who assumed office following a power-sharing agreement between PPP and the PML-N after the February 8 general elections, noted that PPP secured constitutional positions, including the presidency, governorships in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Senate chairmanship in exchange for supporting the PML-N-led coalition government.
Although PPP and PML-N had been long-time rivals before the rise of PTI, the alliance formed between them now faces backlash, especially among anti-PML-N voters in Punjab, who feel disillusioned with PPP for aligning with the PML-N and have started supporting PTI instead.
