A day before the announcement of the federal budget for 2024-25, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a significant coalition partner, criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for excluding their input during the budget preparation process. The PPP questioned whether the PML-N still desired their support in light of this oversight.
The PPP voiced its concerns during a parliamentary committee meeting led by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Shazia Marri, a Member of the National Assembly and the PPP’s information secretary, briefed journalists after the meeting. She highlighted that the PPP lawmakers had informed the leadership about the issues in their constituencies and expressed reservations regarding development schemes.
“The attitude adopted by the federal government towards our lawmakers is causing problems for our members as they are accountable to the people,” Marri stated, emphasizing the PPP’s displeasure with the government’s approach.
Marri pointed out that no input from the PPP was considered in the budget preparation. Even their opinions were disregarded in the federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). “We had tried to prevent such a situation and senior party members approached the government, but it did not yield any results. We did not expect that our voice would not be heard,” she lamented.
Marri also criticized the government for not providing any relief to the agricultural sector. She pointed out the lack of support in terms of fertilizers, tractors, and electricity issues. “We have to be accountable to our people. When the farmer does not get relief in the shape of fertilizers, does not get relief on the purchase of a tractor, and no one listens to them over electricity issues, then all these concerns are valid,” she added.
She mentioned that the National Economic Council (NEC) was reestablished after a long period, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presented his case during its meeting on Monday. Balochistan also presented its case. “The reservations of the PPP are for the people of the entire country. We are a political party with an ideology and a manifesto, and we wanted to give our input in light of that,” Marri emphasized.
Marri questioned whether the government wanted the PPP to protest or express their displeasure on the floor of the National Assembly. “Now, this has to be seen by the government as it is in a responsible position. We did not expect this behavior from Shehbaz Sharif. If this attitude doesn’t change, we will go to our people,” she warned.
When asked if the party was considering parting ways with the government, Marri suggested posing this question to the government. She mentioned that the PPP had scheduled another meeting on Wednesday before the budget announcement to give the government another chance. “We also have to cater to the needs of our constituencies, people, and the implementation of our manifesto,” she said.
Marri clarified that the PPP was not planning to join the federal cabinet but would continue to support the PML-N government for the sake of economic and political stability. However, given the concerns raised by party members, the PPP chairman would need to make a decision. She emphasized that it was now up to the federal government to address these concerns if they wanted to retain the PPP’s support.
