LAHORE:
Firing a broadside against his party’s allies and the PTI, Pakistan People’s Party Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hasan Murtaza said the biggest National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in the country’s history is being reached to secure the release of a prisoner.
He emphasized that negotiations should take place, but not agreements or NROs. He made these remarks while addressing a press conference at the People’s Secretariat, Model Town, here on Thursday.
Hasan Murtaza claimed that an NRO is being searched behind closed doors while negotiating in front of the media.
“OPP believes in negotiating issues and does not support an NRO.” He clarified that OPP has never been part of such an order and will not be in the future. “The decision to release any prisoner should be made by the court and to do so through negotiations or an NRO would be illegal.”
He announced plans to visit districts across Punjab to activate non-functional posts at the district level, starting with Gujranwala Division next week. A youth committee, headed by Mohsin Malhi, is being formed to activate the youth, and disciplinary committees have been established at the provincial and district levels.
Hasan Murtaza stated that PPP support supports the government but if it does not take them into confidence for important decisions, they will face the consequences of both positive and negative results.
He clarified that the PPP’s aim is not to blackmail the government or weaken the coalition, but they are concerned about favoritism in decision-making, which causes rifts among allies.
The PPP Secretary General emphasized that Pakistan’s economy and politics need stability for the country to develop. He said the party cannot support anything that is detrimental to the nation.
“The government should avoid taking unilateral decisions, especially regarding agriculture, as some of these decisions pose a threat to food security.”
Murtaza criticized the government’s move to privatize institutions and condemned the introduction of a super tax on agriculture, calling it unfair. He expressed concern over policies that push farmers to the brink and restrict their access to markets while sugarcane and sugar revenues are allocated to MPAs.
He also criticized actions under the guise of the “firewall” for harming the IT industry, claiming it is being destroyed. “The world is moving towards 5G and Pakistan is being deprived of 2G.”
Hasan Murtaza accused the government of excluding the PPP from the distribution of national resources and exposing the party to reprisals in Punjab. He expressed disappointment that despite this they are still called allies.
