LAHORE – Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Monday signalled a decisive shift in the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) political stance, declaring that the party had effectively moved into the opposition and would continue to play the role of a “genuine opposition” until the next general elections in 2029.
Speaking to a delegation of the Pakistan English Media Association (PEMA) at the Governor’s House, the governor leader said those who had been supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government by defending its policies and decisions had reached the limits of their patience. He made it clear that the PPP would not return to the existing coalition arrangement after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and would instead pursue an effective opposition role, particularly in Punjab.
“The PPP has now assumed the role of an opposition party and will continue to function as a genuine opposition until the next general elections,” he said. Saleem Haider maintained that PPP had never considered coalition govts an ideal model for running country, even during the previous parliamentary term. Although the party had been widely perceived as an ally of the PML-N-led federal government, he said it had gradually been distancing itself from coalition. Criticising the govt’s performance, governor said those supporting present administration appeared increasingly helpless in face of governance challenges and allegations of corruption.
Responding to a question, he said differences within the PPP had been resolved, enabling the party to adopt a more cohesive and effective opposition strategy. The governor also dismissed speculation about a power-sharing arrangement between the PML-N and PPP at the Centre. He said there was no written agreement under which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would step down after two and a half years to hand over the office to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the remainder of the constitutional term.
Highlighting the country’s economic challenges, Saleem Haider said unemployment and inflation continued to burden ordinary Pakistanis. He said the PPP would continue to raise these public issues and exert political pressure on the PML-N government to improve governance and provide meaningful relief to the people. The PEMA delegation was led by Chairman Zulqernain Tahir and President Rameez Khan. Secretary General Ali Raza and members Babar Dogar, Mubashir Hassan, Shahar Bano, Mubashar Bokhari, Faisal Ali Ghumman and Sami Ullah Randhawa were also present during the meeting.
