Islamabad, October 6, 2025: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Monday called on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to stop “friendly fire” and instead move a no-confidence motion against the Shehbaz Sharif-led government, amid growing friction between the PPP and its ruling ally, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly after PPP lawmakers staged a walkout, the former National Assembly speaker assured the Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led party of PTI’s full support if it decides to challenge the ruling coalition.
“If they [PPP’s leadership] are serious, they should bring a no-confidence [motion], and we will support it,” Qaiser said.
“We will help them topple the [PML-N-led] government in the Centre. I am offering, bring a no-confidence now and you will have our complete support.”
In recent days, tensions have escalated between the PPP and PML-N — the two main coalition partners at the Centre — over issues including flood relief, water distribution, and the performance of their provincial governments in Sindh and Punjab.
Earlier, PPP leader and former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf voiced concern over remarks made by a Punjab government minister about Sindh and the PPP.
“The irresponsible statements [made by PML-N leaders] have not only hurt me but also every PPP worker and the common Pakistani,” Ashraf said, warning that such rhetoric could “weaken the federation.”
He added that the PPP would boycott National Assembly proceedings until a clarification was issued over the remarks targeting the Sindh government.
As the verbal crossfire intensified, President Asif Ali Zardari intervened to defuse tensions between the coalition partners.
According to a post on the President of Pakistan’s official X account, Zardari telephoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the dispute between the Sindh and Punjab governments.
“The President has called the Interior Minister to Karachi for an urgent meeting in this regard,” the post said.
The move came as the PPP has repeatedly staged walkouts from both the National Assembly and Senate over recent weeks, protesting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s criticism of the Sindh government.
The PPP has demanded that CM Maryam apologise for her remarks — a demand categorically rejected by the Punjab government.
PPP Vice Chairperson Senator Sherry Rehman lamented that a “war of words” was taking place while flood-hit citizens were still awaiting aid.
“We are asking for aid for flood affectees in Punjab. It is strange if somebody is irked by it,” Rehman said.
Referring to Maryam Nawaz’s earlier statement that “there is no need to beg for money,” Rehman quipped: “You are still asking the IMF for the Climate Fund.”
She also criticised the Punjab government for allegedly revoking PPP leader Ali Haider Gilani’s security detail, recalling that he had previously been abducted.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari doubled down on her criticism of the PPP, insisting that the Punjab government “will continue to fight for the province.”
“They [PPP] are our allies, and we respect them. But they have nothing to talk about Sindh,” Bukhari said.
Taking a jab at the Sindh government, she added: “Name 17 projects in your 17-year tenure.”
