By ABDULLAH Pakistan’s political temperature is heating up again and this time, it’s not about elections but about friction inside the ruling coalition itself. President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met in Nawabshah this week to discuss the country’s political situation amid growing disagreements between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The two major coalition partners who came together earlier this year to keep the government stable are now facing open disputes, especially between their Punjab and Sindh chapters. From water distribution in the Cholistan canals project to flood compensation and governance criticism, the alliance looks strained.
Over the past few days, PPP and PML-N leaders have traded sharp statements, particularly after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made remarks that the PPP found offensive. PPP leaders in Punjab accused the PML-N of trying to undermine their credibility and suggested that their provincial chapter might even move to the opposition benches.
According to party insiders, the PPP’s parliamentary leader in Punjab has already sent a letter to the central leadership asking for permission to sit in the opposition. The proposal is expected to be discussed in the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting scheduled for October 18 in Karachi.
The idea, as one insider put it, isn’t to abandon the federal coalition but to make a symbolic move in Punjab to “restore the PPP’s independent identity” and take advantage of the empty opposition space left by PTI’s political isolation.
Sensing the growing rift, President Zardari stepped in personally to calm tempers. He met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in Nawabshah.
According to the President’s Secretariat, the meeting focused on “the overall security and political situation in the country” and recent regional developments. Ishaq Dar, who recently returned from the United Nations General Assembly, also briefed the President about his meetings with global leaders and Pakistan’s diplomatic priorities.
Sources say the PML-N delegation assured Zardari that no further statements would be made against the PPP and emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining a working relationship between the two parties.
Meanwhile, within the PPP, there’s growing frustration with how the party’s Punjab leadership feels sidelined. PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hassan Murtaza criticized the provincial government, saying it was “deepening divisions between Punjab’s regions” and harming farmers through poor policies like delayed wheat procurement and sugar import decisions.
He argued that if Maryam Nawaz continues indirectly targeting her own federal allies in speeches, it’s not a PPP issue but a “PML-N family dispute” between her and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Political analysts believe PPP’s frustration may also stem from losing influence in Punjab, where the PML-N dominates. Moving to the opposition could help the PPP rebuild its image and gain credibility with voters ahead of the next elections.
To prevent things from spiraling, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly called a high-level party meeting in Islamabad. Senior leaders will brief him about the situation, and there are plans for a joint session between both parties to smooth things over.
Sources told media outlets that the PML-N wants to arrange a one-on-one meeting between Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maryam Nawaz to ease tensions, with Ishaq Dar and Mohsin Naqvi acting as mediators. If that fails, direct talks among Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, President Zardari, and Bilawal Bhutto are being considered as a final attempt to stabilize the alliance.
Adding to the confusion are ongoing social media rumors suggesting that Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir might replace President Zardari speculation that’s been strongly denied by the military spokesperson and federal ministers. Adviser Rana Sanaullah called the idea “completely baseless,” stressing that the army has “no agenda” and wants politicians to solve their issues themselves.
Still, such rumors show how politically charged the atmosphere has become, with each move by top leaders drawing public scrutiny.
From the sidelines, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja mocked the ongoing PPP–PML-N row as a “fixed match,” claiming it will soon resolve itself. Speaking outside Adiala Jail, Raja ruled out any coalition between PTI and PPP but said his party would support a no-confidence motion if needed to challenge the current government.
He also reiterated PTI’s stance on defending the judiciary, confirming that Imran Khan has directed party members not to back down on constitutional matters.
For now, the PPP and PML-N seem to be holding the coalition together but just barely. If the PPP’s Punjab chapter really moves to the opposition benches, it could reshape the province’s political landscape.
President Zardari’s role as a peacekeeper and Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomacy will be crucial in the coming weeks. But one thing is certain: Pakistan’s coalition politics are once again walking a fine line between partnership and power struggle.