All major media outlets are reporting that Pakistan’s two main opposition parties, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), have announced to form the new government together. News reports also suggest this understanding has been reached at both center as well as provincial level.
The photo below shows Asif Ali Zardari shaking hands with Nawaz Sharif at a press conference after their meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.
According to the Daily News:
Nawaz Sharif maintained that there is no difference in the two parties on the restoration of the deposed judges. “We accept the mandate of PPP with an open heart and wish that PPP complete its five year term,” he said, adding, “struggle for restoration of judiciary will continue and CoD will also be followed.” PPP Co-Chairman, Asif Zardari said PPP and PML-N have decided to work together for democracy. However, he said, some of the matter are yet to be decided by the parties. Ali Zardari said that both the leaders have decided to stay united in the parliament. Nawaz Sharif said, ‘We fought against the dictatorship and will keep doing so.”
According to a Daily Dawn update of 23:38 hours PST
Former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday his party would form a coalition government with the party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto after they won crucial elections. “We have agreed on a common agenda. We will work together to form the government in the centre and in the provinces,” Sharif told a joint news conference with Bhutto’s widower Asif Ali Zardari. “We will ensure that you complete a full five years’ term,” said Sharif, addressing Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
What About the Judges?
According to Associated Press feed of 11:35 hours USA CST:
Sharif said the two parties had agreed in principle on restoration of judges purged by Musharraf when he declared emergency rule late last year — an issue that many see as a possible source of discord between the parties. “In principle there’s no disagreement on restoration of the judiciary. We will work on the modalities in parliament,” said Sharif, who has previously demanded the immediate reinstatement of the detained ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
What Do You Think?
Our question to readers is; What do you think? Is this a good move, a bad move, a hasty move or were there any alternatives that got over looked. We would like to hear from you.
References:
1. The Daily Dawn Pakistan update here
2. CNN story here
3. Associated Press story here
4. The Daily News Pakistan update here
5. The Daily Jang Pakistan update here
6. BBC story here
Photo Credits: Associated Press
We have seen PPP-PML era of nineties. How this era is going to be different from the old one. Remove Musharraf and what will hold the two groups together. Only thing common between the two parties is that they are groupings of land lords, granted two different sets of land lords. Would personal egos of the competing land lords allow them to work together for the good of the country. And what about the other power centers i.e. Military, Mohajars and Mullahs. A lot of bargaining and horse trading is ahead. Meanwhile Military and America will be watching very closely how the dust settles.
I think its a good initiative that PPP, PML-N, ANP which in the past were against eachother are going towards reconciliation and common agenda i.e restoration of judiciary, supremacy of parliament and national government.
This gesture will enhance the confidence of our nation that country is not ruled by an individual but by the people whom they voted for. I am glad agencies are not playing their role to establish a group of parliamentarians suitable to establishment.
Till today, the political leadership is behaving maturely and hope they will continue it in future too.
Lets hope they have some positive “common agenda”
… they can raise them as this is chance for them.
I am a pessimist but Mush is not going to go quietly.
And once we rid of him….let me tell you… both Ms
Bhutto(zardari) and Sharif are going to show their teeth. and claws.
If anything…Pakistan will be lucky to have one
peaceful year…and after that its business as usual
until the next dictator comes calling.
We all know this…let us not kidd ourselves.
Asif
FB, while nothing is final in politics, Daily Times news seem to be older. What we have written here is the latest update.
and somewhere in a London suburb, Altu-Bhai bangs his head on a wall…
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20082\21 \story_21-2-2008_pg1_1
Daily times is reporting, otherwise.
It’s a coalition of convenience, and a very temporary one at that. It’s geared toward ousting Musharraf by hook or by crook. Once that is done, expect them to go after each other. Remember, Nawaz and Benzair hated each other’s guts.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the PML(N) would court MQM to counter PPP in Sindh.