Musharraf for forming PPP-PML-Q coalition govt in Punjab

Islamabad, Mar 4 : Even as efforts to form the next national government in Pakistan approach final stage, the country's President Pervez Musharraf has hinted at the formation of a coalition government of his backed Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the Punjab province.

During his meeting with a 15-member group of newly elected MPAs at President's House last weekend, Musharraf is learnt to have said that efforts were on to form a coalition government of PML-Q and PPP in Punjab.

He said this would ensure continuity of the ongoing development projects, especially in the constituencies of PML-Q MPAs.

The leaderships of both the PPP and the PML-Q were in contact with Musharraf and he was striving to cobble together an alliance of both parties for continuation of his policies, the Daily Times quoted an MPA as saying.

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Hamid Nasir Chattha led the MPAs, while another group of 15 PML-Q MPAs will meet him in the next few days.

PML-Q sources said that Musharraf assured full support of the Centre to the MPAs for completion of development works in their constituencies. They said the President looked confident and he did not discuss the opposition's demands for his resignation.

Musharraf is also likely to meet PML-Q MPAs-elect of Balochistan Assembly shortly.

ANI