Click to play videoNew Delhi: Former arch-rivals, PPP and PML-N are trying to stitch together the most unlikely of coalitions to form a new government in Islamabad. The two parties have decided to stay together in principle and efforts are on for a national consensus government.
At a press conference on Thursday evening, PPP leader, Zardari said, "We were together in the struggle for democracy. The future of democracy is within our grasp. We will strengthen Parliament and make for a stronger Pakistan."
He asked PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to be part of the government rather than sit in the Opposition with people and parties that he (Nawaz) does not like.
Zardari also told Nawaz that he has a mandate now, and that is "to serve the people of Pakistan".
Meanwhile, expressing his confidence in Zardari, Nawaz said, "We respect the mandate wholeheartedly. We will support him in Islamabad, ensure his party completes a full five-year term and will not create any problems for him. We will work jointly throughout the country."
Nawaz said that the two parties had in principle agreed to restore the Constitution of 1973 again in Pakistan.
New Pakistan Prime Minister
The PPP will most likely elect senior party member, Amin Fahim, as Prime Minister. The announcement is expected to be made soon.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Zardari has no choice but to accept Amin Fahim for the post of the prime minister as Zardari himself cannot accept the post for he has been out of the country for many years.
Sources have also said that the Charter of Democracy signed between Nawaz Sharif and former Pakistan prime minister, Benazir Bhutto — who was assassinated on December 27, 2007 — are expected to be implemented in letter and spirit.
Meanwhile, Zardari has said that the new government's first decision will to be to request the United Nations to help Pakistan probe the killing of Benazir Bhutto.
"We will make sure that Parliament in Pakistan is sovereign. We will take into account all powers that Parliament should have and will have in the future. There are a lot of modalities to cover. Governing a country is serious business and we cannot really finalise anything in a two-hour meeting. In principle, we have agreed to stay together," Zardari said.
"The sooner President Musharraf respects the will of the people, the better it will be for him as well as for the country," Nawaz added.
Decision on Sacked Judges
Zardari has said that the two parties have had candid talks on a lot of issues, including the restoration of sacked judges in the country.
There were some rumours of a disagreement between the two parties over the restoration of the judiciary, but Zardari has denied this.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Zardari has told Nawaz diplomatically to leave everything to Parliament.
"Restoration of the Judges will be done through Parliament," Zardari was quoted as saying by news agencies.
No decision has yet been taken on the impeachment if President Musharraf as well.
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