Pakistan election results: Sharif's PML-N postpones alliance talks with Bilawal's PPP
The Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led PPP has pledged to support the PML-N in forming a government and electing the next prime minister, provided Nawaz Sharif's party supports them in elections for key constitutional offices
Pakistan election results: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday postponed a scheduled meeting of their coordination committees where a power-sharing formula was expected to be worked out between the two parties to form a government at the Center even as the country is still without a government due to a fractured mandate in the recently concluded general elections.
According to a media report, the meeting between the two parties was postponed as the PML-N committee is yet to discuss the matter with the party's senior leadership.
The second round of talks between the two parties to decide on the power-sharing formula for forming a coalition government will take place on Saturday, Geo News reported.
A planned second round of talks between the Contact and Coordination Committees (CCCs) of the PPP and PML-N could not take place on Thursday as both sides sought more time to review the proposals put forward during their first meeting.
According to a report by Dawn newspaper, the next meeting between the two potential allies is expected to take place today to hammer out a power-sharing formula for their alliance.
The Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led PPP has pledged to support the PML-N in forming a government and electing the next prime minister, provided Nawaz Sharif's party will support them in elections to such key constitutional offices. of the president.
However, given the fierce competition among individuals, nominating people to fill those coveted spots is proving to be a tough nut to crack for PPP chairman Bilawal, the report said.
Citing sources, Geo News reported that former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was in the fray to become Speaker of the National Assembly. Gilani has been ordered to retain his seat in the Senate, indicating that he may be drafted for the post of Senate President.
Former opposition leader Khursheed Shah's name has also been mooted for the post of Speaker as whispers in party circles suggest that the trustees of both houses may be from Sindh.
On the other hand, the PML-N is said to have named another former speaker, Ayaz Sadiq, as its candidate for the post, the report said.
On Thursday, PPP Chairman Bilawal was briefed by members of the PPP CCCs about contacts with political parties at Zardari House. The meeting was attended by Qamar Zaman Kaira, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Saeed Ghani and other leaders.
Meanwhile, an independent candidate from PP-89 Bhakkar, Ameer Muhammad Khan, announced his intention to join the PPP.
On Tuesday, two of Pakistan's main political parties – the PML-N and the PPP – said they will form a coalition government after the inconclusive February 8 elections.
If the coalition becomes a reality, it would mean that Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will not be in power despite independent candidates backed by it winning the maximum number of seats in the National Assembly. Assembly will achieve.
Imran Khan agrees to hold coalition talks with PPP
Geo New also reported on Thursday that PTI founder Imran Khan has agreed to hold talks with the PPP on the issue of government formation at the Centre.
However, PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the PTI has not made any contact with the PPP for political reconciliation so far.
Kundi said the PTI had announced that it would reach out to all political forces, including the PPP, but said the party has not contacted them yet.
“If PTI has any suggestion, it should meet the six-member coordination committee and then these suggestions will come to the top leadership for consideration,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)