Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah agreed to promote political tolerance and regular consultation during a meeting in Islamabad on Monday. The leaders reviewed provincial matters, development projects and political coordination between the federal and Sindh governments. The understanding comes amid differences between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Ali Pervaiz Malik. The participants discussed issues of mutual interest and the prevailing political situation, according to the details provided about the meeting.
Both sides agreed that political tolerance and continued consultation were necessary for smoother governance and development in Sindh. The discussions focused on maintaining coordination between the federal and provincial governments while addressing matters affecting the province. The agreement also reflected an emphasis on resolving political issues through consultation.
Relations between the federal government and the PPP-led Sindh government have faced disagreements over several political matters. These include differences concerning the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections and proposals related to the creation of additional administrative units in the country. The latest meeting comes against that backdrop of political tensions between the two ruling parties.
Earlier this month, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised concerns about the party’s differences with the PML-N and the federal government. He accused the PML-N of attempting to influence the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the decision to conduct the elections in phases, saying it could facilitate irregularities.
Bilawal also called for free and fair elections in AJK and described the existing system as having failed. He proposed establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the unrest and support efforts to restore peace. He said the PPP would not support legislation proposed by the federal government in Parliament until its outstanding grievances were addressed, particularly those linked to the AJK elections.
The PPP chairman also maintained that new provinces should only be established where there is public support and political consensus. He said his party would not support imposing such decisions, specifically rejecting the creation of a new province in Sindh without agreement. Bilawal further called for national interests to take priority over political considerations and said Parliament should be strengthened through consensus rather than forceful measures. The latest Centre-Sindh understanding on political tolerance and consultation could provide a framework for continued coordination on provincial and national issues.
