The PPP Walks Out of Parliament Demanding Apology from PML-N Leadership after a heated session that exposed deepening cracks within Pakistan’s ruling coalition. On Monday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) walked out of both the Senate and National Assembly, demanding that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership apologise for what it called derogatory remarks against PPP’s top leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
The Senate session, chaired by Yusuf Raza Gilani, turned fiery when Senator Sherry Rehman criticised the PML-N’s political tone amid devastating floods in Sindh and Punjab. She said that millions were suffering, yet political leaders were busy trading insults instead of showing solidarity. Rehman condemned what she called “playing the Punjab card,” stressing that such divisive politics was weakening the federal structure. She added that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call to use the Benazir Income Support Programme for flood relief was being distorted for political point-scoring.
The senator reminded the house that PPP had always championed climate justice and had stood with the people during natural calamities. Expressing anger over the verbal attacks, she said, “I am ashamed to repeat the words that were uttered. If no apology comes, we will not be taken for granted.” Following her remarks, PPP senators tore up copies of the agenda and staged a walkout in protest.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed regret, saying that if anyone’s sentiments were hurt, he personally felt sorry. He described President Asif Ali Zardari as a seasoned politician capable of restoring calm between both coalition partners. The acting Senate chairman directed senators from the treasury benches to persuade PPP members to return, but tensions continued to rise.
Adding fuel to the debate, PTI Senator Ali Zafar accused both PPP and PML-N of engaging in political games while flood victims continued to suffer. He said aid meant for the people had disappeared into the pockets of politicians, mocking both parties for “a shameless contest of who deceived the nation less.” Zafar highlighted the destruction of crops and livestock, saying 5,700 villages in Punjab remained submerged, and warned that Pakistan might have to import $3 billion worth of goods due to massive agricultural losses.
He criticised the government’s response as weak and corrupt, claiming that most of the aid was being misused. “Our economy is on a ventilator,” he said, adding that the leadership seemed more interested in photo sessions than solutions. His comments further inflamed the session, with PTI senators surrounding the chairman’s dais and demanding their leader be allowed to speak.
Law Minister Tarar hit back, accusing the opposition of spreading false data and refusing to engage constructively. When Ali Zafar was finally allowed to speak again, he urged the depoliticisation of the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA and PDMA) and criticised development projects like RUDA in Punjab, calling them misplaced priorities in times of crisis.
In response, Tarar maintained that the floods were a natural disaster and not the result of governance failure, emphasising that Pakistan’s stance on climate issues was now being recognised globally. He cited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomatic engagements with Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Nations as proof of international acknowledgment of Pakistan’s position.
As tempers flared further, PTI Senator Saifullah Abro clashed with the deputy chairman over procedural matters, leading to yet another walkout—this time from PTI members. Meanwhile, the Senate decided to dedicate upcoming sessions to discussing the worsening situation in Balochistan.
The PPP Walks Out of Parliament Demanding Apology from PML-N Leadership has now deepened the ongoing rift within the coalition, exposing how political egos continue to overshadow governance at a time when millions across Pakistan face devastating floods and economic despair.