PML(N)-PPP to form coalition govt in Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 22: Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which won majority seats in the February 18 Parliamentary elections, will together form a coalition government in the country, PML(N) chief Nawaz sharif today said.

Addressing a joint press conference with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari after their hour-long meeting at Zardari House here, Mr Sharif said both the parties will adhere to the agenda laid out in the Charter of Democracy. ''We accept the mandate of PPP with an open heart and wish that PPP complete its five year term,'' The News quoted the PML(N) leader as saying. ''We fought against the dictatorship and will keep doing so,'' Mr Sharif added.

In a setback to President Musharraf, the PPP of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, won the most seats in the elections.

The PPP is the largest party in the 272-member National Assembly with 87 seats, followed by the PML(N) with 64, while the former ruling party -- the PML (Q)-- languished at the third position with 38. The rest of the seats were captured by smaller parties and Independents.

UNI