Believes growing friction between PPP, PML-N stems from multiple issues, including disputes over Gilgit-Baltistan
The opposition alliance led by TTAP. which was recently offered talks by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from the floor of the National Assembly, has also been approached separately by PPP, a key coalition partner in the federal government, according to sources.
However, the TTAP has decided it will first engage with the government side before considering any meeting with the PPP.
A source within TTAP. speaking on condition of anonymity, said the PPP, despite being an ally of the ruling PML-N at the Centre, has increasingly found itself at odds with its coalition partner on several issues.
The party has publicly expressed dissatisfaction in parliament, including during the budget session over water distribution concerns,. has also raised questions about the fairness of the recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
According to the source. the PPP has reached out to TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai through one of the alliance's partners, though not through the PTI. The contact, the source claimed, was made by a senior PPP leader.
The source said TTAP believes growing friction between the PPP. PML-N stems from multiple issues, including disputes over the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, concerns that the PPP-led government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been sidelined in recent decision-making, and renewed debate over water distribution following discussions surrounding the 28th Constitutional Amendment.
In this context. the source said, the PPP may be exploring the possibility of opening a channel of communication with the opposition alliance.
According to the source. the offer came from an individual close to the PPP chairman, though the identity of the leader was not disclosed.
The source further said the handshake between the opposition leader. the prime minister in parliament, followed by the premier's offer of talks, had helped break the ice between the two sides.
He added that Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had also favoured a positive response from TTAP to the government's invitation.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai is currently in Quetta on a personal engagement and is expected to return by Monday.
The source said TTAP is likely to approach the government's offer in a constructive spirit. with the expectation that this time the government will not send mixed signals during the dialogue process.
According to the source, TTAP intends to first meet the prime minister. his team to hear their proposals before deciding whether to sit down with the PPP.
The alliance has already informed the intermediary. any decision regarding a meeting with the PPP will be made after the conclusion of the budget session.
PPP Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan was contacted for comment but was unavailable.
Meanwhile, signs of strain within the ruling coalition have become increasingly visible. While many government figures have largely refrained from publicly responding to PPP criticism, senior PML-N leader. former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique recently voiced his displeasure and cautioned the PPP leadership against continued attacks on its coalition partner.
In a social media statement. Rafique said that in the G-B elections, the PPP secured approximately 28% of the vote while the PML-N received 22%.
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