Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto, Shehbaz Sharif agree to ‘save country’ after 'unstable' poll results; Nawaz Sharif could be prime minister

The two parties have agreed in principle to save the country from political instability

According to a report, the PML-N would take the post of prime minister, and the posts of the President and Speaker will be set aside for its partners if an alliance is agreed upon. ANI

ANI

Lahore, February 11

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday.

The two parties have agreed "in principle to save the country from political instability".

According to a report, the PML-N would take the post of prime minister, and the posts of the President and Speaker will be set aside for its partners if an alliance is agreed upon.

Similarly, the post of deputy speaker could be given to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) or any of the Independent members joining the coalition. Besides, the PML-N may keep the finance ministry, and other ministries will be distributed among allies with mutual consultation, according to the report.

As per sources, the decision regarding the nomination for the positions of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman will be made in consultation with the allies after the Senate elections.

The leaders of two parties spoke about the overall situation of the country and political cooperation in the future, according to the statement released by PML-N president on X. Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari agreed to cooperate politically to bring the nation to political stability.

According to the statement, the PPP leadership will put forward the proposals of PML-N in the Central Executive Committee meeting. The delegation of PML-N included Azam Nazir Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Malik Ahmad Khan, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shaza Fatima.

In a post on X, the PML-N president said, "Lahore: President PPP Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met former Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Bilawal House. In principle consensus on political cooperation between Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Peoples Party. In the meeting, the overall situation of the country and the political cooperation in the future were discussed in detail. Lahore: The leaders agreed to cooperate politically to bring the country to political stability."

"The leaders of both parties agreed in principle to save the country from political instability. In the meeting, both parties consulted on the situation and discussed the proposals. PPP leadership will put forward the proposals of PML-N in the Central Executive Committee meeting. The majority of the people have given us a mandate; we will not disappoint the people, expressed the opinion of the leaders. The PML-N delegation includes Azam Nazir Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Malik Ahmad Khan, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shaza Fatima," it added.

Meanwhile, Secretariat of the PPP Chairman stated that it was the PPP's first meeting with PML-N over the government's formation. The two parties discussed government formation.

In a post on X, Secretariat of the PPP Chairman stated, "Lahore: First official contact of Pakistan Muslim League-N with the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party for government formation. PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif reached Bilawal House to seek cooperation from the Pakistan Peoples Party in government formation. President PPP Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif discussed government formation." "Azam Nazir Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Malik Ahmad Khan, Maryam Aurangzeb and Shaza Fatima are included in the delegation of PML-N. Your proposal regarding cooperation in government formation will be discussed in the Central Executive Committee meeting tomorrow, PPP leadership's reply to PML-N," it added.

Earlier in the day, Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) convener, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said that discussions during a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders did not involve any talks regarding the formation of the next government, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi, Siddiqui said the polls have created a challenging situation in Pakistan and stressed that all parties must play their part in moving the country out of crisis. He said, "The stability of democracy is more important than anything else." He emphasised that no discussion has yet taken place about the formation of the government, according to the Dawn report. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said it has not yet been confirmed whether the MQM-P will get any share in the government or not.

His remarks came shortly after the PML-N released a statement saying that the two parties had reached a "principle agreement" to work together in the next government, according to Dawn report.

In a statement posted on X, PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PML-N and MQM-P leaders agreed on political cooperation. She noted that an in-principle agreement was reached between PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and the MQM leadership.The delegation of PML-N was led by former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, while MQM-P's delegation was led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from MQM.