The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have agreed to form a coalition government in the centre and Punjab province, Pakistani media outlets reported on Saturday.
A report by GeoNews said Shehbaz Sharif met top PPP leaders at the residence of Mohsin Naqvi, the caretaker chief minister of Punjab province. Earlier on Friday evening, Nawaz instructed Shehbaz to speak to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and discuss forming a coalition government.
Not even 24 hours passed since Nawaz Sharif tasked Shehbaz Sharif to stitch together alliances and the former prime minister has already held a meeting with PPP senior leaders to discuss the formation of governments in the centre and other provinces.
If this equation works out, it means the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) regime, which consisted of these four main parties, could be back in power again. Shehbaz told PPP senior leaders to sit with the PML-N leadership for political and economic stability in Pakistan.
The Pakistani broadcaster in its report said that Asif Ali Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif during their 45 minutes-long meeting, agreed to form a government in Punjab and at the centre and both the parties will present their own views in the next meeting and finalise all matters regarding the power-sharing formula. They will discuss which portfolios will be assigned to whom.
A Story of U-Turns
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who is poised for a second term said on polling day that there should be no talks of a coalition government. ““For God’s sake! Don’t talk about a coalition government. One-party majority is crucial for the country. We rendered sacrifices to witness the day where we are today. We have to end this culture of abuse and indecency,” Nawaz Sharif said.
But during his victory speech from PML-N headquarters merely 24 hours later, Nawaz Sharif accepted that PML-N may have not bagged the mandate it sought from the people while claiming that his party was the single-largest party.
“Let’s sit together, as everyone knows who has done what for the country. At least 10 years are needed for the country’s stability. Pakistan cannot afford any fight at this time. We have to sit together and we have to settle matters. We invite everyone to join us to take Pakistan out of difficulties,” Nawaz Sharif said.
One should also note the speech given by Ataullah Tarar, a PML-N leader who defeated PPP’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Lahore. “Hum Karachi-walon ko Karachi chhor aaye,” a jubilant Tarar said, referring to PPP’s stronghold in Karachi and how they could not dent PML-N’s base in Lahore.
Even Bilawal Bhutto Zardari before the elections said he will ‘handle the lion’ referring to the PML-N electoral symbol. “You just get PPP won. I will handle this lion,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said earlier this week, alleging that Nawaz Sharif was trying to unfairly become the next prime minister.
As of Saturday morning, reports from Pakistan indicate that the PPP and the PML-N have held meetings and could be forming the next government.
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