PPP, PML-N 'make headway' in Punjab power-sharing talks

• PML-N agrees to consult PPP in advance on policy matters.
• Hassan Murtaza denies PPP's interest in seeking govt share.
• Both parties agree on meeting every fortnight to resolve issues. 
  

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday agreed to consult the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in advance on 'significant policies' amid efforts to defuse tensions with the ruling ally.

The coordination committee of the PML-N and the PPP held a meeting at the Punjab Governor's House in Lahore to discuss issues related to the implementation of their power-sharing agreement — struck by the two parties after the February 8 general elections.

Ishaq Dar and Raja Pervez Ashraf co-chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Malik Ahmed Khan, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah Hassan Murtaza, and Ali Haider Gilani.

Sources told Geo News that the meeting agreed to implement the remaining points of the power-sharing agreement in a phased manner.

According to sources, the PML-N agreed to consult PPP in advance on legislation, budget and policies. Both parties also vowed to work together for the country's stability.

It was also agreed that the PPP lawmakers in Punjab would get development funds equivalent to PML-N ones.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hassan said that talks with the ally were held in a pleasant atmosphere. "Both the parties want to take coalition government forward."

The politician asserted that a sub-committee has been constituted to look into power-sharing issues. "It will finalise the matters and bring them before the coordination committee," he added.

Rejecting the notion that the PPP was seeking a share in the Punjab government, he said his party would never give "tough time" [to its ally] to achieve its goals.

Moreover, Hassan said the meeting also discussed matters regarding inflation and law and order in the province.

"We favour long-term relief instead of short-term," he said, apparently referring to the Punjab government's power subsidy worth Rs45 billion.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government announced a reduction of Rs14 per unit in the electricity tariff for August and September under a power subsidy plan for consumers using 201 to 500 units.

The decision drew criticism from the party's political archrival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the major ruling allies Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the PPP, as the latter termed the power subsidy a short-term relief and a decision taken merely for optics.

On the other side, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah echoed Hassan's remarks regarding a share in the provincial government. He said both parties agreed on meeting every fortnight to discuss the matters.

The meeting came three days after leaders of the two parties including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari sat together in Islamabad to iron out differences.

Sources said that the coalition government led by PM Shehbaz took the PPP leadership into confidence ahead of "crucial legislation" in the National Assembly.

It is pertinent to mention here that the two political allies have been at odds for quite some time over the issue of the federal budget, and power subsidy among others.

After the February 8 general elections, the PPP formed a government in Sindh and announced its support for PML-N in the formation of the government in Centre and Punjab but refused to accept the ministries.