ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif managed to convince the head of his coalition partner, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, to join the budget session after the latter skipped earlier debates owing to his grievances with the federal government.
The PPP leader was also reluctant to join the budget debate, and it took Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to convince him to come to the house so that the budget could be tabled.
A source close to Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP leader still had reservations but agreed to deliver his speech in the lower house, most likely on Thursday (today), where he would share some of his concerns. In the meeting at the PM House, the premier agreed to address all the PPP concerns regarding the federal budget. A day earlier, the PPP chief had warned of the NA session’s boycott if their demands remained unmet.
It was learnt that after the news was published in the print media that Mr Bhutto-Zardari would boycott the budget session, the prime minister contacted the PPP leader and invited him to a meeting to address their reservations regarding the budget.
“Chairman Bilawal will join the ongoing budget debate by delivering his speech on the floor of the house tomorrow (Thursday),” a source close to the PPP chairman told Dawn after the meeting. The source said that the PPP chief was still unhappy despite agreeing to come to the house, adding that he would share his concerns and reservations in the budget speech. Another source, however, said all outstanding issues had been settled during the meeting between the two sides. The PPP leader also congratulated the premier on the US-Iran peace deal, mediated by Pakistan, set to be signed on the 19th.
As the debate on the federal budget continues in the house, the PPP lawmakers are actively participating in it. They have not ruled out their support for the government, but have criticised almost all aspects of the finance bill. On Tuesday, the PPP chief also complained to PML-N leader Ishaq Dar that the budget document tabled in the house was different from the one shown to the PPP in the pre-budget meetings.
A press release issued by the PM’s Office said that PM Shehbaz met Bhutto-Zardari and discussed matters of national importance, the federal budget, development projects and the prevailing regional situation.
The meeting reviewed the progress of development projects being implemented by the federal government in the province of Sindh and discussed measures to strengthen cooperation between the federation and the provinces.
During the discussion on the federal budget, the prime minister underscored that effective coordination and close cooperation between the federal and provincial governments were indispensable for national development and economic progress.
Both leaders agreed that sustained collaboration between federal and provincial institutions was essential for the timely completion of projects of national importance and for ensuring better public services and facilities for citizens. The PPP leader also thanked the prime minister for his support in the process of government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the press release, the PPP chairman paid tribute to PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote global peace amid the evolving situation in the Middle East. The PM and the PPP chief also exchanged views on political developments and issues of mutual interest concerning the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema were also present during the meeting. Mr Bhutto-Zardari was accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman and Member of the National Assembly Syed Naveed Qamar during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House.
