By KUNA
Islamabad : The three main political parties, losers-turned-victors in the recent elections, have launched consultations to form coalition government with advices from the former pro-Musharraf parties to form a national consensus government.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), now led by Benazir Bhuttos widower Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was ousted and sent into exile by President Musharraf, and Awami National Party (ANP) were the main winners of Feb 18th general elections.
PPP won 87 seats of National Assembly, PML-N 66 and ANP won 10 seats. At the provincial level, PPP is in clear majority in Sindh Province, PML-N in Punjab, ANP in NWFP while in Baluchistan province pro-Musharraf PML-Q is in majority.
PPP and ANP leaders, Zardari and Asfandyar Wali Khan, Thursday held consultations for coalition government in NWFP and announced their decision later to newsmen.
“We have decided to work together for the interest of Pakistan, democracy and supremacy of democratic institutions, and rule of law in the country”, said Zardari while talking to newsmen.
Khan speaking on the occasion said that he discussed all related issues with Zardari and decided in principle to go together for supremacy of democracy. “It will be very smooth sailing together”, he added.
It was not immediately clear whether Zardari will also be holding talks with PML-Q for coalition government in Baluchistan. As a part of his next consultations, Zardari was expected to meet with Nawaz Sharif for coalition government at the center, which is likely to oust Musharraf though he has rejected the call to quit in the wake of his allies defeat.
The meeting between two main parties leaders was expected to take place Thursday evening.
PML-Ns working committee meeting was held at a hotel ahead of the expected meeting with PPP and discussed the related issues but the scheduled press conference was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Meanwhile, PML-Q has advised the election winners to form a national consensus government while President Musharraf has called for a harmonious coalition.