Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal downplayed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) threat to withdraw support from the federal government, stating that political ups and downs are normal and there is no serious rift among coalition partners.
PPP spokesperson Shazi Marri had expressed dissatisfaction over the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s failure to consult the PPP on key decisions, warning that the federal government could collapse if the PPP withdrew its support. Marri highlighted the lack of communication regarding the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime & Sea Port Authority (PMSPA) and the failure to convene a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting in the past 11 months.
In response, Iqbal compared coalition dynamics to a family, where disagreements can arise, but they are resolved maturely without leading to major conflicts. He emphasized that while PML-N and PPP have different ideologies, both parties are united in their commitment to Pakistan’s development.
Iqbal also discussed the importance of collaborative politics, particularly in the current climate, and reaffirmed that both parties are aligned in their goals for the country. Additionally, he addressed the state of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, stressing the need for cybersecurity to protect critical national systems and acknowledging the challenges Pakistan faces in this area.
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to support the tech industry, including providing uninterrupted VPN services to software houses, which has resulted in a 34% increase in software exports.
