——– PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, BNP decide to pull together for coalition government
——– Nawaz nominates Shehbaz as PML-N’s candidate for PM’s slot, Maryam as Punjab CM
——– Bilawal withdraws from candidacy for PM’s slot, extends PPP’s support for PML-N’s nominee for coveted post
——– Zardari invites PTI to become part of reconciliation efforts
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: As the results of the election 2024 have been declared, the political parties are making efforts to form a coalition government.
In this regard, an important meeting was held at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Q chief Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain in which matter pertaining to the formation of the government was dis-cussed.
The political parties including PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, BNP and IPP announced forming the gov-ernment together.
Political leaders including Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar, Sadiq Sanjrani, Aleem Khan, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori and others participated in the meeting.
While talking to the media at the end of the meeting, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that today they have decided to sit together and form the government.
He said the participating parties fought elections against each other and given the situation they could sit together while even mentioning they wanted PTI to be a part of this reconciliation.
On this occasion, MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that they all will strengthen the democracy with mutual cooperation..
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that everyone should sit together to find the issue of crises as he said the country’s agenda should be foremost.
Talking to the media, former PM Shehbaz Sharif said that they fought the elections against each other and talked a lot against each other however depending on the situation, they have to strengthen the economy first in a cooperative manner.
He said that their biggest challenge would be to strengthen the economy of the country and efforts of all would be pivotal to fight inflation and unemployment.
Meanwhile, The PPP will support the prime minister candidate of PML-N, said party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari following the meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) in Islamabad on Tues-day.
Bilawal said the PPP will also not seek any ministries at the federal level and his party has accepted the election results, despite concerns, in the larger interest of the country.
“We do not want the country to hold another election, going towards another general election will on-ly harm the country,” said the scion of Bhutto dynasty while addressing the media.
He added that if the PPP had not joined the PML-N, the country would have suffered. “It can not be that one party always raises objections against poll results.”
“We want all the political parties to address the shortcomings so that no one can point fingers at elec-tions the next time. We will also utilise available forums like ECP, parliament in addressing these is-sues,” said Bilawal.
“We want a government at the Centre which should be allowed to function.
“I will not be putting myself forward for the candidacy of the prime minister of Pakistan,” said Bilawal and added that the PML-N and independents have a greater number at the Centre.
The PPP leader said the decision to support PML-N was taken after the PTI refused to form a coalition with the party, leaving the PML-N as the only party that had invited the PPP to join the government.
The PPP chairman elaborated that he “personally wants [his father] Asif Ali Zardari to be the next pres-ident”. “The country is burning and the only person who can control the situation is Zardari.”
“In conclusion, the PPP has made the decision that we may not be a part of the government but we will engage with political parties on the issue of votes and the election of prime minister.
“I am assuring the public that the parliament will be formed and it is a forum where their issues will be resolved,” Bilawal said.
A day earlier, the PPP CEC deliberated on different suggestions and proposals. Former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired the CEC meeting of the party at Zardari House, Islamabad.
Following the post-Feb 8 vote whirlwind, where no party emerged as a simple majority, the PML-N and PPP have been engaged in a strategic tango to form a central government with the support of their allies.
The PML-N, in particular, is burning the midnight oil to piece together a government at the Centre, and in Punjab and Balochistan.
