ISLAMABAD: Multiple rounds of bilateral talks finally paved the way for a PML-N and PPP coalition government. In a midnight conference, the senior leadership of PML-N and PPP claimed they secured a comfortable majority to elect the next prime minister.
Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a joint press conference at Zardari House in Islamabad. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed that PML-N and the PPP would nominate President Shehbaz Sharif for the prime minister position. Similarly, Shehbaz Sharif assured that PPP co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari would be the joint candidate for the president of Pakistan.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he prayed the PML-N and PPP coalition government overcomes the external and internal challenges ahead of Pakistan. He thanked PML-N for supporting Asif Ali Zardari.
Regarding the formation of government by PTI, Shehbaz Sharif said that the coalition group was ready to opt for opposition benches but PTI failed to secure the magic target of 169 seats.
Ministries for PPP in the PML-N and PPP coalition government
According to Shehbaz Sharif, PPP had no demand for ministries in the federal cabinet. However, PPP would get the chairmanship of the Senate. Yousuf Raza Gillani would be the most probable choice for the position. The deputy chairperson of the senate would be picked from PML-N.
Similarly, PML-N would appoint the speaker National Assembly, and PPP would have the rank of deputy speaker. PPP would also clamp governorships of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. PML-N and PPP would also form a government in Balochistan where Sarfraz Bugti would take over as chief minister.
The first session of the newly formed National Assembly has to take place on February 29, 2024, under Article 91(2) of the Constitution.
While answering a question about the PDM government’s performance in 16 months, Shehbaz Sharif said that they are sitting in their current position because of a successful PDM government. Asif Ali Zardari said that the PML-N and PPP coalition government would steer the country through the crises.