PPP Walks Out of Senate, Demands Apology from Maryam Nawaz Before Joining Legislation

Islamabad: The **Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)** staged a walkout from the **Senate** on Monday, escalating its protest over Punjab Chief Minister **Maryam Nawaz’s remarks**.

Speaking during the session, PPP Senator **Zamir Ghumro** demanded that the federal government ensure relief through the **Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)**, while condemning statements issued by the Punjab government.

“These remarks harm the federation. If Punjab says ‘our water, our choice,’ then tomorrow another province could say ‘our petrol, our choice, our wheat, our choice,’” he argued, criticizing Maryam Nawaz’s speech regarding canal projects.

He further stated: *“Until the Punjab Chief Minister apologizes, we will not participate in any lawmaking process.”*

Following his remarks, PPP lawmakers staged a walkout from the Senate.

This protest mirrors PPP’s earlier **walkout from the National Assembly**, where senior leader **Naveed Qamar** objected to Maryam Nawaz’s comments, saying: *“What does ‘our water, our money’ mean? Her speech was disappointing. Punjab may be facing floods for the first time, but Sindh has prior experience. If we offer advice based on that, why take it as criticism?”*

Federal Law Minister **Azam Nazeer Tarar** attempted to calm tensions, saying: *“Wordplay is part of politics, but if anyone felt hurt, we apologize.”* He added that PPP’s protest was a matter within the ruling coalition: *“The opposition should not be overly jubilant — this is a house matter.”*