Shehbaz, Zardari agree to continue together: Sources

Lahore:   Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ai Zardari held an important meeting to discuss the post-election situation, the sources privy to the development said on Friday.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present there in the meeting.

“The both sides held deliberations on formation of the next government,” said the sources, adding that the both sides agreed to continue together.

The meeting took place at the house of Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Ishaq Dar also accompanied Shehbaz Sharif during this meeting.

The meeting took place after Nawaz Sharif, during a victory speech at the party’s office in Lahore, asked Shehbaz Sharif to contact Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Faz and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

Zardari, according to the sources, left for Islamabad while Bilawal would stay in Lahore for some days.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples’ Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto have arrived in Lahore in a dramatic manner, where they held a meeting with the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at Mohsin Naqvi's residence.

Shehbaz Sharif had previously contacted Asif Ali Zardari via telephone expressing his desire for a meeting, following which Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar met Asif Ali Zardari and delivered Nawaz Sharif's message, inviting Zardari to form a coalition government.

The sources said that Shehbaz Sharif contacted Khalid Mahmood Siddiqui of MQM-P and offered him to join the efforts to form the next government.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed the invitation and said that they would respond to him after consultation with the party leaders.

Further deliberations would be held to chalk out the future course of action.