Karachi/Lahore, October 5, 2025: A fresh political tussle erupted between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday after Sindh’s senior minister Sharjeel Inam Memon demanded immediate local body elections in Punjab, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Memon questioned why Punjab remains the only province yet to hold local government elections, asserting that the PPP’s stance was consistent and democratic.
“Why are local body elections not being held in Punjab?” he asked. “Other provinces have completed theirs, but Punjab keeps delaying the process.”
Memon accused the Punjab government of launching a “one-sided campaign” against the PPP and Sindh’s administration while avoiding its own governance obligations.
He warned against attempts to “settle political scores by sowing divisions”, saying such tactics would not be allowed to succeed.
Calling for constructive engagement between the provinces and the federation, the Sindh minister urged the federal government to focus on climate diplomacy—mobilising international support for flood-affected communities, echoing similar calls made earlier by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Highlighting Sindh’s own post-flood recovery efforts, Memon cited the 2.1 million-house construction programme for displaced families, describing it as “one of the largest provincial housing initiatives in Pakistan’s history.”
He cautioned political opponents against stoking hatred, saying:
“Don’t spread the fire of division. Call your speechwriters to silence. Let’s focus on helping the poor instead of politicising relief.”
Reacting strongly to Memon’s statements, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and accused the PPP of “trying to interfere in Punjab’s affairs.”
“Whenever local body elections are held in Punjab, they will not be bogus like Karachi,” she said. “So keep your deadline in your pocket.”
Bukhari accused Memon of attempting to “forcefully enter a province and fight”, asserting that Punjab’s resources and water policies would not be dictated by external pressure.
Defending Punjab’s flood relief efforts, the minister said cash compensation and rehabilitation cheques were being distributed to affected families, who had “thanked the Punjab government and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for swift assistance.”
“Did PPP in Sindh or Punjab help the flood victims even a little?” she asked, accusing the party of exploiting disaster narratives for political mileage.
Bukhari also accepted Memon’s challenge for a public debate, saying, “The place and time are of your choice, but you must come yourself — not hide behind any proxy.”
She further criticised Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s tenure as foreign minister, claiming he had “undermined his own party, the federal government, and the prime minister.”
“Who are you to give orders to Punjab? Keep your orders and advice in your pocket,” Bukhari remarked, reiterating that the PPP’s attempts to politicise Punjab’s development work would not succeed.
Emphasising the province’s progress, Bukhari said South Punjab is now more developed than many districts of interior Sindh, and accused the PPP of resorting to “filthy politics” through slogans involving BISP and South Punjab.
She concluded by mocking Sindh’s municipal record:
“If you can’t manage garbage collection in Karachi, don’t lecture Punjab on governance.”
