Reversing its earlier stand in an apparent bid to provide stability, Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) on Sunday decided to join the PPP-led coalition government.
ISLAMABAD: Reversing its earlier stand in an apparent bid to provide stability, Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) on Sunday decided to join the PPP-led coalition government and the two parties agreed to resinstate all the judges sacked by Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf within a month of assuming power.
The long-time foes clinched a power sharing deal etching the contours of the new government at a one-to-one meeting between PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Sharif at the former premier's weekend retreat in the hill resort of Murree, 60 km from here under tight security.
A joint declaration signed by Sharif and Zardari, widower of former premier Benazir Bhutto, however, made no mention of possible impeachment of Musharraf, an idea championed by PML(N) but disfavoured by PPP which has said that it does not
want to "rock the boat".
"In her (Bhutto's) memory we signed this... and Insha Allah (God willing) we intend to stick to the road to democracy," Zardari said after the meeting.
PML-N, which had earlier said that it will support the government from outside, agreed to be part of the federal cabinet and to support the PPP's nominee for the post of prime minister. PPP emerged as the largest party in the March 18 poll, winning 120 of 342 seats while PML (N) had bagged 90.
The PPP said it would join the PML-N-led government in the politically crucial Punjab as the two parties asked Musharraf to immediately convene the National Assembly.
The Pakistan People's Party gave in to Sharif's demand of resinstating the judges sacked by Musharraf as the statement said that the new parliament will move a resolution within 30 days of forming government to restore the pre-emergency judiciary.
PML-N had demanded the reinstatement of judges, including the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, which has been strongly opposed by Musharraf who had even said that he would quit if such a step was taken.
"We have decided that the restoration of the deposed judges as it was on November 2, 2007 shall be brought about through a Parliamentary resolution to be passed in the national assembly within 30 days of the formation of the federal government," Sharif said.
The two parties said they would forge a common minimum agenda that will provide good governance and end dictatorship in the country.
The joint declaration said they would form a government to translate into action the mandate given by the people in last month's general election.
Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf in a coup in 1999, once again reiterated his demand for the military ruler to quit following the defeat of the President's supporters in the February 18 general election.
"If Musharraf and his supporters say this is a hung parliament, they should not have any misperceptions that it will tolerate dictatorship," Sharif said.
"The people gave a verdict against his dictatorial rule of eight years. I think he should accept the reality and the people's verdict and not delay the formation of the government," he said.
The joint declaration said: "The leadership was of the firm opinion that the coalition partners are ready to form the governments and the national and provincial assemblies should be convened immediately."
The two parties also decided that the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly shall be from the PPP while the speaker and deputy speaker of the Punjab assembly shall be from the PML-N.
PPP vice chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was initially tipped for the post of prime minister but is apparently having differences with Zardari over his reluctance to back him, was conspicuous by his absence during today's parleys between the two parties.
Fahim, who has expressed his reservations about the PPP's delay in naming its nominee for premiership, had been invited for the talks but could not attend as he was otherwise occupied, Zardari said.
Musharraf, who is faced with a hostile parliament, earlier asked the new government to leave politics aside and focus on good governance, peace and stability.
He denied that he was delaying calling the new parliament and said the new assemblies would be convened within 10 days.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}