Maryam fires a fresh salvo at PPP, PTI

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently criticized coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for corruption, warning political rivals against targeting her government's performance. Speaking at a cardiac transplant centre inauguration, Maryam accused the PPP and PTI of corruption and anarchy, urging them to emulate the PML-N's approach to serving the people.

This marks a hardening of the PML-N's stance towards the PPP, which has recently ramped up its criticism of the federal and Punjab governments over electoral irregularities in Azad Kashmir. The tension within the ruling alliance has become more apparent as PPP leaders continue to describe the PML-N governments as "Form-47 mandates," while PML-N leaders have retaliated by questioning the PPP's record of governance.

Maryam's cabinet members, especially Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, have also engaged in a verbal exchange with the PPP, particularly over the latter's criticism of the Punjab government's performance. Bokhari accused the PPP of not being able to "digest" the pace of development in Punjab under Ms Maryam's administration.

In response, the PPP has maintained that the PML-N lacks the moral authority to question its governance or political standing. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon accused the PML-N of having come to power based on a "fake mandate" following the Feb 8, 2024 general elections, alleging manipulation of election results to achieve this.

Despite their continued political cooperation at the federal level, the sharp rhetoric between the PML-N and PPP suggests that their political interests, especially in Punjab and Sindh, are becoming increasingly difficult to align.