ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Political tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)—coalition partners in the Centre and Punjab—deepened on Saturday as both sides clashed over the distribution of flood relief aid.
While the Punjab government launched a province-wide survey to assess flood losses, the PPP renewed its demand for immediate disbursement of financial assistance through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The PML-N insists on using its own provincial mechanisms, rejecting PPP’s proposal.
At a press conference, PPP leaders Humayun Khan, Senator Palwasha Khan, and KP’s Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha criticized the Punjab government for delaying relief. They argued that the BISP database was already available and could provide swift assistance to victims. Palwasha Khan further suggested waiving electricity bills of affected families, lamenting that the ruling PML-N was treating Punjab as its exclusive domain. She stressed that “all provinces belong to all Pakistanis” and accused the Punjab government of resorting to hostile language against its coalition partner.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally launched the Punjab Flood Survey Campaign, deploying 2,200 teams comprising 10,000 officials from the army and the revenue, agriculture, and livestock departments. Compensation has been promised at Rs1 million for completely destroyed houses, Rs500,000 for partially damaged ones, Rs500,000 for livestock loss, and Rs20,000 per acre (up to 12 acres) for farmers.
Maryam Nawaz dismissed PPP’s call for using BISP data, saying, “Distributing Rs10,000 to each flood-affected person through BISP data will do no good.” She defended her government’s approach and claimed Punjab’s efforts outpaced other provinces. She also brushed aside criticism of her “flood photo-ops,” arguing that public visibility was necessary for accountability.
The PPP leadership, including Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, has repeatedly urged Punjab to avoid delays by leveraging BISP. The dispute highlights an increasingly bitter rivalry within the ruling coalition.
Adding fuel to the fire, PPP senior leader Nadeem Afzal Chan accused Punjab of becoming “the biggest borrower among provinces,” alleging it had taken Rs405 billion from the State Bank in just 38 days of the new fiscal year. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari hit back, threatening to sue Chan under defamation and electronic crimes laws. She maintained the province had already clarified its borrowing figures, warning that repeating “false narratives” could have legal consequences.
As over four million residents await compensation, the escalating war of words between allies risks overshadowing relief operations—turning flood devastation into a new political battlefield.