PML-N, PPP reach agreement, announce to form govts in Punjab, Center

Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reached agreement and decided to form the governments in Punjab and the center.

Addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday late night, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PML-N offered support for Asif Ali Zardari for his appointment as president.

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and other leaders from both the parties were also present there.

“We both will work together and will try to meet the public expectations,” said the PPP chairman. He said that Shehbaz Sharif would be the prime minister once again because their numbers are now complete.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the PPP leadership. He said that he openly offered the independents to form the governments if they could, making it clear that they were ready to welcome them.

“But they do not have complete numbers. They have made arrangements with the SIC and MWM,” said Shehbaz Sharif.

He said that the PML-N and the PPP committees held talks in different sessions and they finally reached the agreement, saying that both the parties have complete numbers to form the governments.

“I express gratitude to Asif Ali Zardari for all this, and is grateful to Nawaz Sharif for his guidance,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said that there are numerous challenges in the way of Pakistan.

“This alliance means that we have complete numbers, and we have unanimously decided to make Asif Ali Zardari as president for the next five years,” he stated.

The PML-N president also thanked other ally parties including the MQM-P.

He mentioned the challenges including terrorism in different parts of the countries, especially in the KP and Balochistan, vowing to fight against it.

“This unity will address economy and will work for the development and progress of the country,” said Shehbaz Sharif. He said they have to provide opportunities to the young people and have to provide them vocational trainings, so they could serve their families and Pakistan.

Besides it, he said he believed that it is quite clear and open that the country was still relying upon foreign loans, and to get rid of loans, they needed more hard work.

“It is a journey of blood, sweat and sacrifice. This is not the matter of taking turns. Actually this is the matter to take the country ahead. I am thankful to all for nominating me for the prime minister office,” he added.

He stated that this alliance comprises young and aged people who could contribute for the country.

“Ishaq Dar sahib was leading the PML-N and Syed Murad Ali Shah was leading the PPP, and I thank all the members in both the committees,” said Shehbaz Sharif.

Asif Ali Zardari also spoke on the occasion, saying that thier struggle is only for the sake of the people.

"We met to deliberate ways to steer the country out of crises," said Zardari while urging everyone to pray for their success. 

Responding to a question, Shehbaz Sharif said that the PPP did not demand any ministry despite they held several parleys.  Bilawal said that they made decisions in their meetings and would announce them at the later stage. 

The process of forming governments, Bilawal said, was comparativley earlier, and he gave references of the past governments. Whereas the offices are concerned, he said they would make announcements soon. 

"I think the public is not interested who is going to become a governor or speaker rather they want to see who is the next prime minister," he added.