Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) must seriously weigh the opportunity to switch to opposition benches "No one will give us the prime minister’s castle on a silver platter". In the midst of simmering dissatisfaction within the party’s ranks over its ambivalent attitude – which is neither fully in government nor real in opposition – a media report claimed that PPP has agreed to join the federal cabinet under pressure from powerful quarters. With reference to named sources, the report claimed that the Division of Ministries will be settled by next month. However, a senior PPP leader from Punjab, who spoke to the Express Pakinomist, said he was completely unaware of any such development, though he did not completely excluded the opportunity. When PPP was contacted for official comment, PPP strongly denied the reports, called them baseless and reiterated that such rumors are routinely forcing the party to issue clarifications. In a speech with the Express Pakinomist, former federal minister and PPP information secretary Shazia Marri said the party had made no decision to join the federal cabinet. Designation of the report "Just presumption" and "a direct lie," She emphasized that PPP is following a structured internal process for decision making. She said that if such a decision was even under consideration, it would have been discussed at some level and added that the final authority of the party rested with CEC. Marri added that the party on several occasions in the past had to issue similar clarifications to counter unused stories. Unlike these rumors, many within the party have called for the leadership to formally join opposition benches to cut out more political space, especially in Punjab, where PPP’s election presence remains marginal. A senior leader from Punjab said, "If this lane continues, Bilawal Bhutto will have no chance of becoming the next PM". He noted that PML-N was comfortably located with the establishment, and he asked why the forces that would be would gamble on a new party as their current election delivered unusually well to their standards.
"Next in the line is Maryam Nawaz," he warned. The leader noted that when PTI was a used strength under the current conditions, the scenario has left the field open to PPP in Punjab, but only if the party stopped beating the fence. He emphasized the need to participate in opposition benches if the party hoped to earn genuine support in Punjab. He added that PPP should rope in independent members who have distanced themselves from PTI and emphasized the need for new leadership and fresh faces. "President [Bilawal] need to give more time to punjab, walk his streets and meet ordinary people," he said. "He is played as a fele with false hopes of becoming the next PM. Without Punjab, there is no hope."
According to the same manager, the company doesn’t even need PML-N anymore. "They have ensured the blessing of the global establishment, which has effectively referred the role of prime minister and his CERTERI."
Another senior partial figure joined and said that remaining an ally has cost PPP Public Goodwill.
"People often say that we are part of the government because we have constitutional attitudes. It becomes very difficult to explain how we are not in power. For an ordinary person we are in government."
He said the party eventually should consider moving to the opposition. With reference to the recent election results in Punjab, he noted that the result reflected what PPP should expect in future competitions. He remembered how the party’s information secretary Nadeem Afzal Gondal had also admitted during a press conference that PPP’s alliance with PML-N had cost them their seat. Former caretaker Punjab chief minister and political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi noted that PPP’s strategy of enjoying the best of both worlds was detrimental to its prospects.
"PPP has no chance of forming the next government in this way," He said and called on the party to engage in real, question -based policy in Punjab.
"PML-N will not give up space for PPP in Punjab. This province is still a sore thumb for PPP."
He said PPP would have to formulate clear problems that are relevant to Punjab. "PPP can’t sell ‘Jiye Bhutto’ here. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gained popularity because he became the voice of the lowest layers in Punjab."
Askari emphasized that the party should leave the government, including giving up the presidency, and beginning grassroots edition -based policy. "Despite Maryam’s best efforts, there is still a great alienation among the public in Punjab, giving some opening for a resistance."
When asked about PPP’s lack of political traction in Punjab, Shazia Marri Marri recognized the importance. "There are some deficiencies and we do not deny them," She said, adding that Bilawal Bhutto’s recent lawyer had won hearts, even among Gen Z. "There is a need to take advantage of that feeling."
On the question of joining the opposition, she said, "We are an independent party without long-term obligation or understanding with PML-N. If the government continues to deliver up to our expectations or even close to them, we will continue to support it. Otherwise, our options remain open."
"For now we want to play the role of a constructive ally that we did during the financial bill," she added.
