President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly intervened to ease the growing rift between the Sindh and Punjab governments and summoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Karachi for urgent consultations.

The development comes as tensions between coalition partners Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) intensify following heated exchanges over Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz’s public remarks.

The two main ruling parties in Centre, have been at odds over flood relief, water resources and the performance of their respective provincial governments. PPP lawmakers have demanded a formal apology by staging walkouts from the Senate and National Assembly, but the demand has been turned down by PML-N ministers as they retaliated by raising questions on Sindh’s governance record.

Amid a war of words, the president has reportedly held a telephonic conversation with the interior minister to discuss the ongoing tensions.

On Monday, PPP members boycotted parliamentary proceedings in protest against what they described were “regrettable remarks” made by the Punjab CM against their leadership.

Former premier and senior PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf made a point of order, stating that his party would not take part in the proceedings until the government offered a proper explanation for the Punjab chief executive’s remarks.

“Bilawal Bhutto never criticised any PML-N leader, rather, he appreciated the Punjab CM's governance. We are part of this government for the sake of Pakistan's federation, not confrontation,” Raja said.

He added that PPP's tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness, reminding the House that the party had faced much tougher times, including military dictatorships.

Ashraf also criticised the withdrawal of security for the PPP's parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, calling it a violation of the spirit of the Charter of Democracy.

“We must not use divisive language or resort to blame games. Respect is more important for us than power,” he added.

Speaking on the floor of the House, PPP parliamentary leader Senator Sherry Rehman voiced concern over what she described as “divisive rhetoric” coming from Punjab towards Sindh and the PPP leadership at a time when the nation was reeling from devastating floods.

“Over 6.5 million Pakistanis have been affected by floods — these are not Punjabis or Sindhis, they are Pakistanis. Instead of focusing on their plight, divisive rhetoric is growing. This is no way to manage a crisis or a coalition,” she said.

Rehman said that the coalition and national unity were being harmed by the ongoing tussle between Punjab and Sindh. She said that the PPP had shown restraint and solidarity, but a red line was crossed when PML-N leaders “played the Punjab card” and criticised Bilawal and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari.

She also defended Bilawal’s recent remarks, claiming that he had only recommended that the Punjab government identified and compensate flood victims using data from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

She cited a World Bank report to back up her claim that BISP was among the most successful social protection programmes in the world.

“If an apology is not offered, then don't take our support for granted. The PPP remains the largest party in the Senate,” she warned before leading her party’s walkout.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded to her comments in a conciliatory tone, saying that President Zardari has previously acknowledged the matter and taken action to comply with his constitutional obligations.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif are both proponents of reconciliation. The political temperature will come down soon,” Tarar said, adding humorously that the opposition should not celebrate these “ups and downs” in coalition politics.