Zardari Summons Naqvi to Karachi as Sindh-Punjab Tensions Escalate; PPP Walks Out of Parliament

Political tensions between Pakistan’s two largest provinces — Sindh and Punjab — have intensified, prompting President Asif Ali Zardari to summon Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Karachi for an urgent meeting. The move follows days of heated exchanges between the ruling coalition partners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), culminating in the PPP’s walkout from both the National Assembly and Senate.

What began as a disagreement over flood compensation and water distribution has now escalated into a full-blown political standoff, threatening the fragile unity of the federal coalition government.

According to a statement from the Presidency, Zardari and Naqvi held a telephonic conversation regarding the “recent tensions” between the Sindh and Punjab governments. The President, seeking to de-escalate the situation, has called Naqvi to Karachi for an immediate consultation.

The dispute initially stemmed from disagreements over flood aid distribution and water rights linked to the controversial Cholistan canals project. The Sindh government, led by the PPP, voiced strong objections to the initiative, claiming it would deprive Sindh of its rightful share of Indus River waters.

The conflict deepened when Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in response to Sindh’s criticism, told PPP leaders to “keep their advice to themselves.” Her remarks sparked outrage among PPP ranks, prompting lawmakers to boycott parliamentary proceedings in protest.

Despite meetings in Islamabad aimed at reconciliation, tensions only worsened. PPP leaders urged Maryam Nawaz to “reconsider her tone,” while she publicly refused to apologize, asserting that her comments were justified. In retaliation, the PPP accused her of undermining the federation and described her government as a “Form 47 byproduct,” alluding to alleged election irregularities.

Rising Rhetoric and Walkouts

The political temperature reached boiling point on Monday when PPP senators and MNAs staged coordinated walkouts from both Houses of Parliament.
Speaking in the Senate, senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman warned that the “war of words” was harming national stability, saying, “We strive for unity, but when the Punjab card is played and our leadership disrespected, we will not stay silent.”

Rehman emphasized that the PPP was the largest party in the Senate and cautioned coalition partners against taking its support for granted. Her remarks were followed by a dramatic exit of PPP senators from the Upper House, while PPP MNAs, led by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, did the same in the National Assembly.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar attempted to calm tensions, acknowledging the PPP’s concerns while stressing that “peaks and valleys are part of democratic coalitions.” He reiterated that water distribution would remain under the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) framework.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari defended her government, accusing Sindh’s ministers of exploiting the floods for political mileage. “Punjab has always stood as a big brother during crises,” she said, expressing disappointment over Sindh’s response.

Opposition Joins the Fray

The opposition, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seized the moment to mock the ruling alliance’s internal discord. PTI Senator Ali Zafar quipped that the country was witnessing a “historic contest between coalition partners over who failed flood victims more.”

In the National Assembly, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser welcomed the PPP’s “friendly fire,” suggesting that if the party was serious about its grievances, it should “move a vote of no confidence” — a remark that drew laughter from the opposition benches.

Conclusion

With coalition unity hanging by a thread, President Zardari’s intervention aims to bring the warring allies back to dialogue. Sources close to the presidency say the meeting in Karachi will focus on cooling tempers and reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to provincial harmony.

However, as both sides continue trading sharp words, the episode highlights deeper fissures in Pakistan’s political fabric — where coalition survival often depends on balancing provincial pride with federal pragmatism. Whether Zardari’s efforts will succeed in restoring calm or mark another chapter in Pakistan’s volatile coalition politics remains to be seen.