Governor Punjab signals PPP's full opposition strategy

LAHORE -- Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that those who had been supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in implementing its policies and defending its decisions had reached the limits of their endurance.

Speaking to a delegation of the Pakistan English Media Association (PEMA) at the Governor's House on Monday, he said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had now assumed the role of an opposition party and would continue to function as a genuine opposition until the next general elections, scheduled for 2029.

PEMA Chairman Zulqernain Tahir and President Rameez Khan led the delegation, which also included Secretary General Ali Raza and members Mubashir Bokhari, Babar Dogar, Shehar Bano Khan, Mubashar Hassan, Faisal Ali Ghumman and Sami Ullah Ranadhwa. 

He made it clear that the PPP would not return to the present coalition arrangement following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and would instead play the role of an effective opposition, particularly in Punjab.

Mr Khan said the PPP had never favoured coalition governments as a means of running the country, even during the previous parliamentary term. Although the party was widely regarded as an ally of the PML-N-led government, he said it was, in practice, steadily moving into opposition.

He maintained that those backing the present government appeared increasingly powerless in the face of poor governance and allegations of corruption.

Responding to a question, the PPP leader said internal differences within the party had been resolved to enable it to function as a more effective opposition.

Mr Khan also dismissed speculation over a power-sharing arrangement at the federal level, saying there was no written agreement under which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would serve for two and a half years before handing over office to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the remainder of the term.

He said there could be no disagreement that the people of Pakistan were grappling with rising unemployment and persistent inflation.

The PPP, he added, would continue to raise these issues publicly to mobilise support while also exerting political pressure on the PML-N government to improve its performance and deliver meaningful relief to the public.

Earlier, PEMA office-bearers informed the Governor of Punjab about problems being faced by the media, especially English media. 
The Governor assured the delegation that PPP would stand firmly with the media, champion press freedom and serve as its voice in both the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies. 

He added that the party was committed to safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring that an enabling environment for a free and independent media continued to prevail across the country.