LAHORE: A war of words erupted on Thursday between the Punjab and Sindh governments as ministers of the ruling PML-N and its coalition partner, the PPP, traded barbs over governance, political mandate and provincial performance.

The exchange began after Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari accused the PPP of being unable to ‘digest’ Punjab’s development under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who alleged that the PML-N had come to power through a “fake mandate” and, therefore, had no moral authority to lecture others on democracy. The PPP minister’s remark has reinforced the allegation of Imran Khan’s PTI that Feb 8, 2024 polls were massively rigged to bring PML-N into government.

Responding to Bokhari’s remarks, Memon said the public knew “who came to power through Form 47 and who enjoys the real mandate”.

He accused the PML-N of pursuing politics marked by “arrogance, intolerance and provocative rhetoric” and rejected allegations that the PPP harboured prejudice against Punjab.

Azma, Sharjeel wax sarcastic about development, Feb 8 mandate

“The PPP was founded in Punjab and represents all provinces equally. We have as much love for the people of Punjab as we do for those of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

The senior Sindh minister also criticised the PML-N’s record in Punjab, claiming the province’s debt had increased from Rs148 billion to Rs692bn during its tenure and alleging that the government’s wheat policy had inflicted heavy losses on farmers. He added that Karachi contributed the largest share of Pakistan’s tax revenues and said the PPP made no distinction between the people of Lahore and Karachi.

Memon also condemned what he described as derogatory remarks about Larkana, saying the city symbolised sacrifices for democracy and that insulting it amounted to disrespecting the legacy of former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had consistently advocated national unity and equal rights for all provinces.

Earlier, Bokhari defended the Punjab government’s performance, saying public funds were being spent on welfare and development projects across the province and that this appeared to be troubling the PPP.

She said the Maryam Nawaz administration had ensured equitable distribution of resources across Punjab during its first two years in office, with development projects extending from Attock to Rahim Yar Khan and from Rawalpindi to Vehari.

“Those who are envious of Punjab’s progress and prosperity may continue to criticise, but the journey of public service will not stop,” she said.

The Punjab minister claimed the “Nawabs of Larkana” were unable to accept Punjab’s development and argued that the PPP’s weak electoral position in Punjab reflected its own political performance rather than any actions of the PML-N.

Referring to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s visit to Lahore, she said the Punjab government had fully cooperated in sharing its governance model and expressed the hope that the people of Sindh would also benefit from improved governance and development.

Addressing PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Bokhari advised him to avoid politics based on hatred and division, alleging that Sindh government’s spokespersons were more focused on criticising Punjab than highlighting their own government’s performance.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2026