Overview
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a PPP delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that the party remains an ally, with both sides agreeing to keep talking to resolve grievances.
- President Asif Ali Zardari and the prime minister met earlier and agreed to maintain continuous political consultations on matters of national importance.
- PPP sources say assurances from the prime minister will be presented to the party’s Central Executive Committee on October 18 in Karachi to decide the next steps.
- Reports that police protection was pulled from Bilawal House in Lahore drew PPP criticism, while Punjab ministers and Lahore Police called the claim false and pointed to routine rotations.
- The rift stems from disputes over using BISP for flood relief and the Cholistan canal project, coupled with PPP complaints about insufficient consultation and an unimplemented Punjab power-sharing formula.