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PPP Walks Out as Punjab Pushes Relief Card and Maryam’s Water Remarks Strain Ruling Coalition

The standoff has become a test of the ruling alliance’s cohesion during a mounting flood emergency.

Overview

  • PPP staged walkouts from the National Assembly and the Senate, protesting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “our water, our money” remarks and the sidelining of the Benazir Income Support Programme.
  • Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar apologized on Maryam’s behalf and called for dialogue, as PPP lawmakers warned of a legislative boycott and demanded a retraction.
  • Punjab is proceeding with a province-run flood loss survey and digital relief card offering up to Rs1 million for destroyed homes and Rs20,000 per acre to 12 acres, with no firm payout timeline announced.
  • Maryam rejected using BISP and hinted at reviving a Cholistan canal, prompting PPP leaders to condemn the rhetoric as divisive and harmful to national harmony.
  • PPP leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Shazia Marri and Sherry Rehman, renewed calls to route relief through BISP, citing its deployment during the 2022 floods and the recent Ramadan package.