ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership has directed its leaders and parliamentarians to refrain from contacting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ministers and leaders amid growing tensions between the two coalition partners, according to party sources.
Sources said PPP leaders and lawmakers have been instructed to avoid direct contact with federal and provincial ministers belonging to the PML-N. The party leadership has also directed its representatives not to respond to political messages received from PML-N leaders.
The latest development highlights growing differences between the PPP and PML-N, which are coalition partners at the federal level. Relations between the two parties have reportedly deteriorated following disputes over the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and allegations of electoral rigging.
The PPP leadership is closely monitoring the political situation and is considering convening a meeting of its Central Executive Committee (CEC) following the Kashmir elections. Party sources said consultations with senior leaders would take place before the meeting is formally scheduled.
President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are expected to jointly chair the CEC session. Members of the committee from Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan’s four provinces are expected to participate.
According to party sources, the CEC meeting will discuss the prevailing political situation in the country and recent developments involving the coalition government. The issue of proposals regarding the creation of new administrative units is also expected to come under discussion.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to brief party members on the AJK election results and the political developments surrounding the polls. The PPP leadership is also likely to discuss allegations of electoral irregularities and decide on the party’s future political strategy.
The growing differences between the coalition partners come at a politically sensitive time, with both parties facing pressure over governance, electoral issues and provincial concerns. The PPP’s decision to limit contacts with PML-N leaders could further increase uncertainty surrounding relations between the two major political parties.
However, no formal decision regarding the future of the coalition has been announced. The upcoming PPP Central Executive Committee meeting could provide greater clarity on the party’s position and its next political steps.
