LAHORE: The PPP, which is unhappy with the PML-N government on several matters has said the latter has accepted most of its demands, including bringing an end to political victimization of its activists and holding of local bodies’ polls in Punjab at an early date. Similarly, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan also confirmed that PML-N had accepted most demands of the PPP.
Regarding holding of early local government polls, he added that there has been a consensus that solution of basic issues of people lies in the local government, therefore, legislation will also be made in the provincial Assembly for an effective local government system before going into the elections. He said it was also agreed that PPP would be given due share in all development schemes Punjab.
PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan said that the deadlock between the PML-N and PPP has ended as the former has pledged to implement the deal reached between the two sides at the time of the formation of government. He made the remarks after a fresh round of talks held between the two sides in Islamabad.
The meeting in Islamabad, which discussed only Punjab-specific matters, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, PM’s Special Assistant Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique from PML-N, and PPP’s Raja Pervez Ashraf, Hasan Murtaza and Nadeem Afzal Chan.
Chan stated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in this connection, and the implementation of the agreement has started. He added that his party wanted an end to political victimization of its workers in Punjab besides making a framework for the local bodies system.
He said that they want the local bodies elections at the earliest and the PPP does not want that all development funds are spent on specific constituencies. Chan said that development works should be carried out across the province and PPP should also be taken on board while development funds are distributed.
He said issues related to other provinces and distribution of PSDP funds was also being finalized and would be announced soon at a joint press of both political parties.
