President calls for unity among coalition partners, stresses relief in upcoming budget

LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the importance of political unity among coalition partners, urging the government to adopt a collective approach in the national interest during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The meeting at Governor House covered topics including the country’s political and security situation, foreign relations, and climate change. Attendees included National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, and Senator Saleem Mandviwala.

The leaders reviewed the outcomes of recent prime ministerial visits to friendly nations and discussed the need for coordination among political allies. President Zardari stressed the government must take practical steps in the upcoming budget to provide relief to the common man.

“Political allies need to move forward together in the national interest,” Zardari said, underlining the call for unity within the coalition.

Zardari has been in Lahore since last weekend. Sources also revealed that he met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, with Governor Saleem Haider present, marking a potential easing in relations between the PPP and PML-N in Punjab. Party insiders hope this will strengthen ties and improve access to the provincial budget.