PPP decision on Punjab Cabinet after Sept 6

LAHORE - The PPP seems to be in no mood to quit the Punjab government immediately to reciprocate the PML-N which three days back announced the decision to part ways with the ruling coalition.

Immediately after the split between the two coalition partners, with Nawaz Sharif announcing his party's separation from the ruling coalition and decision to sit in the Opposition in National Assembly, it was expected that the PPP would follow the suit. It was expected that Qasim Zia or Senior Minister Raja Riaz would announce the act of quitting the Punjab government in response to PML-N's move.

However, till to-date, there are hardly any signs that PPP is in any hurry to leave the Punjab government, which could be problematic for the PML-N leadership. The PML-N leaders and functionaries expected the PPP to quit after the PML-N's terminal decision to part ways with the coalition.

Sources in PPP disclosed that all the PPP ministers have been asked to stay put and continue serving at their respective offices till the presidential election. It is learnt that PPP would take the decision whether to quit Punjab government or not after September 6 when the election of President is scheduled for. There are six PPP ministers in the Punjab cabinet.

Meanwhile, the PPP members have been asked by Asif Zardari to be careful in their comments on Sharifs. There are reports that PPP would once again ask the PML-N to join the federal government after the reinstatement of deposed judges, the process of which has been initiated on Wednesday.