PPP Contemplates Joining Federal and Punjab Cabinets

The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) is contemplating joining the federal and Punjab cabinets after securing governors’ slots in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Initially, the PPP had supported the governments at the federal and provincial levels while holding only constitutional positions. However, there is a growing desire among PPP lawmakers in both the centre and Punjab to actively participate in the cabinets to form stronger coalition governments.

According to insiders, while some lawmakers within the PPP are in favor of joining the cabinets, there is also a group that is hesitant about this decision. The PPP leadership is planning to present this matter to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) to seek consensus. The final decision regarding the timing of joining the cabinets of PM Shehbaz Sharif at the federal level and in Punjab will be made by the CEC.

If the PPP decides to join the cabinets, the roles and responsibilities of the ministers will be clearly defined. It is crucial for the PPP to obtain formal approval from the CEC before announcing its decision to join the federal and Punjab cabinets, as it was the CEC that initially opted to support the government without participating in the cabinets.

In the initial phase, the PPP is expected to secure eight ministries in Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet. Additionally, the PPP aims to lead key standing committees in the National Assembly and in Punjab. Discussions regarding this matter are ongoing between the PPP and the PML-N.

The PPP’s potential decision to join the federal and Punjab cabinets marks a significant shift in its approach towards governance, indicating a willingness to play a more active role in shaping policies and decisions at both levels of government.