Karachi/lahore: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has challenged Punjab government ministers to an open debate, accusing them of trying to create division between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the federal government.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said Punjab's criticism of the PPP was actually aimed at the federal government, adding that "an attempt is being made to create an environment where the PPP withdraws its support for the Centre."

He maintained that the Sindh government had no conflict with the Punjab administration and that "the people of Punjab are our own."

"The Punjab government's real target is the prime minister," Memon said. "We are being used as a cover to attack the federal government." He added that the PPP would not let 'any conspiracy against the Centre succeed.'

Memon criticised the Punjab chief minister's speechwriter, claiming he was misleading her. "Her scriptwriter - the same one who once wrote speeches about 'vote ko izzat do' - is now giving her speeches on playing the Punjab card," he remarked. "Criticise performance if you want, but don't spread hatred."

He accused the Punjab government of prioritising political theatrics over governance, saying, "There's more work on TikTok than in government offices." Memon said Sindh had stood by Punjab during the floods, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visiting affected areas and the party urging the federal government to seek international assistance.

He also criticised the Punjab administration for standing by a person who had made derogatory remarks about the people of Sindh, questioning why such behaviour was tolerated. "If that person can be forgiven, then all prisoners should also be released for apologising," he said.

The minister further alleged that the Punjab government's recent criticism stemmed from jealousy over the prime minister's successful foreign visits. "Maybe those visits are the real issue," he said.

Referring to threats allegedly received by PPP members, Memon declared, "We are being told our fingers will be broken - do they think we'll be scared? The party that faced lashes and executions will not bow down to such threats."

Memon reiterated that PPP wanted cooperation, not confrontation. "We don't want a fight; we want unity in these times," he said, adding that the party would continue to support the federal government on national issues.

Responding to Memon's remarks, Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari accepted his challenge, saying, "You can choose the place and time - but do come yourself, not through a proxy." She accused him of politicising the plight of Punjab's flood victims, saying his "narrative has failed miserably."

Azma Bukhari also questioned whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked Memon to "play politics over Punjab's flood victims." Azma Bokhari alleged that as a foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was 'weakening the roots of the federal government, including his party, and the prime minister'. 'The house where a father and son do not agree are now trying to hide their sins by making futile taunts against our house.'

She further said that the PPP was 'conspiring' against both the Centre and the Punjab government. 'You start playing the 'province card' when your own performance is questioned,' the information minister said.

Azma Bokhari asserted that south Punjab was still 'way better and developed than any area of interior Sindh'. 'Who are you to order Punjab?' she asked.

The minister also took exception to the PPP highlighting water right issues 'day and night but telling us that Punjab will use water as per your (Sindh's) wishes'.

Assailing the PPP for 'delayed' work, Bokhari said: 'You are still selling the 2002 floods, [while] cheques have started being distributed in areas where surveys have been completed.'

In a post on X, Bokhari said Memon was 'more worried about interfering into Punjab's political and administrative issues because they have decided not to do any work in Sindh'. 'Saying things is easy. Do work if there is. See your conditions; our south Punjab is better than them in every way. Is there any shame?' Bokhari added.