ISLAMABAD: In an apparent attempt to placate his coalition partner PPP, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday committed Rs25 billion for flood victims in Sindh.

A source in the PM House told Dawn that the prime minister has given the assurance to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in a meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Shah apprised the prime minister that the provincial government had already allocated Rs25bn for the flood-affected people in its budget, therefore, funds should be provided by the centre.

The funds for flood victims have become a point of contention between the PPP and PML-N.

In a meeting with a PPP delegation on Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had said the centre will provide Rs25bn to the Sindh government but the final decision will be made by the prime minister.

Subsequently on Mon­day, PPP Chairman Bila­wal Bhutto-Zardari — who had earlier warned to not vote for the budget if sufficient money for rehabilitation was not allocated — softened his tone and said his party “had no differences” with the PML-N and was still part of the coalition.

After severe criticism by PPP lawmakers, Mr Dar sta­ted a “comprehensive roa­d ­­map” had been devi­sed in consultation with the PPP leadership, including the Sindh chief minister during a meeting on June 16.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2023