Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has embarked on a foreign tour to Dubai, delaying the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, sources confirmed on Thursday.
Key Developments
- Postponed CEC Meeting:
- The CEC meeting, initially scheduled for this month, will now convene after Bilawal returns to Pakistan.
- The meeting was expected to address critical issues, including the PPP’s alliance with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
- Extended Tour:
- Bilawal is reportedly planning to continue his journey to Europe after his stay in Dubai.
- Negotiation Committee:
- To address ongoing disputes with the federal government, the PPP recently formed a negotiation committee comprising senior leaders like Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
- Other key members include Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider.
- The committee’s findings are expected to be presented at the rescheduled CEC meeting next month.
Bilawal’s Concerns
Earlier this month, Bilawal publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government during a speech in Karachi:
- Sindh’s Treatment:
He alleged that Sindh was being disrespected and sidelined politically.
“The Centre offers neither respect nor political cooperation, and agreements are being ignored,” he said. - Indus River Canals:
Bilawal criticised the construction of new canals from the Indus River, claiming it violated agreements between the PPP and PML-N.
“I was busy with the 26th Amendment, and the government approved the canals behind my back,” he stated.
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked Ishaq Dar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, to address Bilawal’s grievances.
Barrister Aqeel Malik, the government’s legal affairs spokesperson, confirmed that Dar plans to meet with Bilawal soon to resolve coalition tensions.
Implications
Bilawal’s absence and the delay in the CEC meeting highlight mounting friction within the ruling coalition. The PPP’s grievances, if unresolved, could strain its alliance with the PML-N, complicating governance as Pakistan grapples with political and economic challenges.
