Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has made it clear that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will continue to play a vital role in Pakistan’s ruling alliance, despite the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing a simple majority in the National Assembly following the allocation of reserved seats.
Speaking to reporters at Lahore's Data Darbar shrine on Saturday, Dar reaffirmed that the Pakistan political coalition dynamics remain strong. He said, “PPP is and will remain our coalition partner. Without their support, forming a government after the 2024 general elections wouldn’t have been possible.”
Dar acknowledged the PPP’s unwavering support during challenging times and promised that the PML-N would stand by the PPP even during the current period of political stability.
Responding to reports suggesting that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif might meet his political rival, PTI founder Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail, Dar dismissed the claims as baseless rumors. “These are just speculations — someone’s wish list. We don’t need to meet anyone. The law will take its course. Such news is deliberately spread to create confusion,” he said.
Despite gaining strength in the National Assembly — where the ruling coalition's numbers rose from 218 to 235 members after the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification — Dar emphasized that PML-N is open to working with all political parties, including those in the opposition.
He also clarified that the PPP had not demanded any ministerial portfolios from the PML-N-led government.
The recent boost in the ruling coalition’s numbers followed a Supreme Court decision that deprived PTI of its reserved seats for women and minorities, allocating most of these to the government alliance. This move has further shifted the Pakistan political coalition dynamics, solidifying the government’s position with a two-thirds majority in the lower house.
Earlier, PML-N’s senior leader and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif shared similar sentiments during appearances on Geo News. Asif said that whether or not the PPP officially joins the cabinet is entirely their choice, but cooperation between the two major parties has historically been productive.
Reflecting on past alliances, Asif said, “If there’s an arrangement where both parties work together for the national interest, it would be a positive development. I speak from political experience, not from any insider negotiations.”
