PAKISTAN Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned the Centre of quitting ministries “if the promises made to flood affectees in Sindh are not fulfilled”. Addressing a ceremony after the inauguration of Seed Subsidy Programme under BISP for flood-affected farmers in Karachi on Sunday, he regretted that the promises made to the flood affectees by the federal government could not be fulfilled. Bilawal also expressed reservations over the ongoing Digital Census, terming it as a ‘flawed exercise’, warning that the PPP’s provincial government in Sindh would not support the Census if the federal authorities do not address their grievances.
The threatening tone of Bilawal on two important issues conveys a clear impression that all is not well among the coalition partners. Differences among coalition partners, with varied agendas and goalposts, are nothing new but airing of grievances publicly (and not discussing them meaningfully in internal meetings) is unusual. The concerns expressed by the PPP leader over the plight of the flood affected people are understandable as elected representatives cannot remain indifferent to the woes of their electorates. However, who knows better than the Foreign Minister that the country is facing one of the gravest financial crises in its history and also that the commitments and pledges made by the international community are not materializing at the desired pace. The ability of the federal government to offer prompt assistance and that too in required sums is questionable in the existing conditions. Bilawal’s party is ruling the province and instead of airing grievances and looking towards the federal government, sufferings of the affected people can be mitigated to a great extent if the provincial government activates its official machinery to help restore normal life in the affected areas. Similarly, plans for digital census were there for months and reservations, if any, should have been discussed well in time. It is unfair to cast doubts on an exercise that has just begun on grounds. Adequate arrangements and safeguards are in place to ensure collection of authentic data including self-enumeration and, therefore, no attempt should be made to trigger unnecessary controversies and that too around a national cause.
