The political rift between Pakistan’s Sindh and Punjab provinces over flood relief operations has deepened, prompting President Asif Ali Zardari to intervene as tensions spill into public confrontation.

According to local media reports, Zardari spoke with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and summoned him to Karachi for immediate consultations to address the growing discord between the two provincial governments. The intervention comes amid escalating accusations of mismanagement and lack of transparency in relief efforts following devastating floods that have displaced millions across Pakistan.

The dispute began when Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Farooqi criticized Punjab’s relief operations on a morning television show and challenged the province to a public performance comparison. Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari promptly accepted the challenge, insisting that Punjab’s relief mechanisms were transparent and well-coordinated.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s spokesperson and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also entered the fray, accusing Punjab of politicizing humanitarian efforts.

Meanwhile, torrential rains and strong winds have wreaked havoc in Punjab province, killing four and injuring at least 28 people in the past 24 hours, according to Rescue 1122. Several roof and wall collapses were reported in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi, with authorities warning of continued heavy rainfall over the next day.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported record rainfall across multiple districts and urged residents to stay alert. The worsening weather and ongoing political feud have raised concerns about the coordination of national relief operations amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.