Fahim says PPP, PML-Q may ally

Karachi, Jan. 26 (ANI): Pakistan's Federal Trade Minister Amin Fahim has indicated the possibility of an alliance between the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

"PML-Q is a political reality and an alliance between the PPP and the PML-Q can not be ruled out. We can resolve differences for the larger interest of the people and the nation," Fahim was quoted by the Daily Times as saying.

He also said the results of the meeting between PPP leaders and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would be made public soon.

Earlier, an unexpected truce between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) following President Asif Ali Zardari's meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had dashed the hopes of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) of forming an alliance with either of the two parties in Punjab.

The discreet meetings and backdoor negotiations between the top leaders of the PPP and the PML-N discussions had ensured the safely of Punjab coalitions till the next Senate elections, The Nation reports.

Sources had disclosed that both the major forces have pledged to observe restraint till the next elections, shutting the doors on the PML-Q that was craving for an alliance.

The PPP and PML-N coalition was formed in March 2008. The PML-N had won 59 seats out of 147 while PPP got 45 in the February 2008 elections.

With 28 seats, the PML-Q was hoping to claim the chief minister's slot after forming an alliance with either of the two governing parties.

Political analysts were speculating that both PPP and PML-N could not afford to get the PML-Q on board, as taking them in their fold would ruin their political image in the masses, as PML-N had repeatedly labelled them as the remnant of dictatorial forces, while the PPP had claimed their hand in Benazir Bhutto's assassination. (ANI)