PPP, PML-N expected to firm up alliance today

Both sides form their Contact and Coordination Committees to discuss and formalise recommendations for coalition

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are expected to firm up their power-sharing proposals for the next coalition government on Saturday (today) for formal approval by the top leaderships of the two parties.

The committees formed by both the parties to prepare the recommendations for their alliance at the Centre, are meeting on Saturday (today) for the third round of talks. The talks were originally scheduled for Friday, but had to be cancelled because their other engagements.

The PPP said on Tuesday it would support the PML-N to form a minority government at the Centre, ending a stalemate after inconclusive elections. A PML-N spokesperson later said that the party had nominated Shehbaz Sharif for the post of prime minister.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also laid conditions on backing the Shehbaz-led coalition, saying they would support them in electing the prime minister but would not join the government. However, he indicated the party would seek some constitutional posts in return.

Later, both sides formed their Contact and Coordination Committees (CCCs) to discuss and formalise recommendations for the coalition. PPP sources said that the PML-N had been informed about the party’s position, while talks would continue on amendments on privatisation and government affairs.

The sources also said that two parties would hold talks with other smaller parties. They added that there was a strong possibility that both the parties would Jamait Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday.