Finally, Nawaz-Shahbaz’s PML-N and Bilwal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP have reached a consensus to form a coalition government in Pakistan. Apart from this, the new president is Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
After a long discussion, they made an official announcement on Tuesday (February 20) late night. Top leaders of both the parties said that they are once again forming a coalition government “in the interest of the nation”.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) now have absolute majority and we are in a position to form the next government, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told a press conference in Islamabad with top leaders of both parties.
Who is getting which position:
Bilwal said that Shahbaz Sharif will be the prime minister of the coalition government and his father Asif Ali Zardari will be the presidential candidate from both parties.
In response to a question regarding the nomination of PML-N leader Ishaq Dar as Senate chairman, Bilawal said that a decision was taken in the meeting. But each party will announce it separately.
He said, “If we look at the past, we have reached consensus and announced alliance much faster than in the previous term.”
In the same press conference, PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif said that he had urged the PTI-backed candidates to form the government by proving their majority. But they could not show enough seats. He said, we have enough majority to form the next government.
Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan thanked Bilawal and Asif Ali Zardari for their cooperation. Shahbaz said that both parties have decided that Zardari will be fielded as a joint candidate for the post of President.
Responding to a question whether PPP will join the cabinet, the PML-N leader said that Bilwal’s party did not want the ministry from day one.
He said that the two parties discussed and resolved the issues through mutual consultation. But this does not mean that we are accepting their demands or they are accepting our demands. They have their own opinions. But reaching the middle ground is the real political success.
The former prime minister also said that decisions regarding the ministry would be taken later based on the directives of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and the PPP top leadership.
