PPP-PML(N) reconciliation on flood-relief efforts shocks many in Pakistan
By ANISunday, August 15, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s decision to join hands with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government to work on flood-relief efforts in the country has taken everyone by surprise.
It came as a shock after Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders took every opportunity to hit out at the PPP’s ‘failure’ to carry out the rehabilitation work.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had criticized Shahbaz for making unreasonable financial demands from the federal government.
Law Minister Babar Awan and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer were also in the forefront of those criticizing the Sharif brothers.
Awan had also alleged that the opposition’s ‘propaganda campaign’ was hindering the flow of foreign assistance to the country.
The PPP and the PML-N have agreed on setting up a body to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the victims.
Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting in Islamabad, said that the commission would mobilize resources and oversee the spending of funds to maintain a high level of transparency.
“On the suggestion of Nawaz Sharif, the government has decided to set up an independent commission, comprising of impartial, non-controversial and principled individuals to raise funds for rehabilitation of flood victims and to monitor the damage assessment process for judicious distribution of resources to provinces,” Gilani said.
Political experts believe that the government may have been motivated to accept the proposal due to the poor response of the international community to the call for donations.
They said that the partnership might sound more promising to foreign donors, especially some of the wealthier Gulf states.
According to The Dawn, though the two sides demonstrated surprising bonhomie during the press conference, political observers are watching this development cautiously.
Having witnessed the love-and-hate relationship between the two parties, they are not sure how long the current phase of reconciliation will last. (ANI)
