Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have reached a consensus to form government in the center.
The breakthrough comes after intensive negotiations between PML-N President and Prime Minister-designate Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Later, addressing a late night press conference, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, flanked by PPP Co Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said that they are in the position and have the required numbers to form the government.
He said that Shehbaz Sharif will be their candidate for the slot of the prime minister while PPP C-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will be the joint candidate of the two parties for the presidency.
“The country is faced with internal and external challenges,” the PPP chief said, expressing the commitment to collectively overcome them.
“It will be our effort to live up to the expectations of the masses,” Bilawal Bhutto said.
In his remarks, Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction over the successful parleys between the PML-N and the PPP. He said both the parties held several rounds of talks in a positive manner.
“The coalition government will deal with the issues of terrorism and inflation as well as make strides to uplift the economy by enhancing the productivity of sectors such as agriculture and industries,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
The PML-N president said we have to educate the youth including in the field of information technology and provide vocational training to them.
He said it is a matter of distinction for him that he has been nominated for the seat of the Prime Minister.
Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said we have got together to steer the country out of challenges and ensure a successful future.
"Our objective is to secure a better future for the generations to come. We urge all Pakistanis to join us in prayer for our collective success, " Asif Zardari said.
According to sources, as per the deal reached between the two parties, the PPP will not join the federal cabinet and that the NA speaker slot would go to the PML-N and the deputy speaker will be from the PPP.
They claimed that the Senate chairmanship would go to the PPP and the PML-N will get the slot of the deputy chairman.
Moreover, the governorships in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab will also go to the PPP.
The sources added that the PML-N and the PPP would jointly form Balochistan government.
As per the Article 91(2) of the Constitution, the first session of the National Assembly has to be summoned by February 29.
On the first day of the NA session, after taking oath, members will elect the speaker and deputy speaker through a secret ballot. Following this, the new speaker will announce the schedule for the election of the PM.
In the 336-member lower house of the Parliament, 169 votes are required for the election of the prime minister.
