PPP, PML-N reconciliation efforts hit hard by 'smear Sharif' campaign

Islamabad, Sep.4 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) do not share a cordial relationship, and the recent brickbatting between the two parties, has further dented chances of a reconciliation between them.

Due to the latest round of infighting between the PML-N and PPP chances of talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has virtually become 'nonexistent'.

It is evident that Zardari and Sharif can not stand each other, and the latest controversy regarding the Sharif smearing campaign has further soured the relations between the two leaders.

PML-N insiders said party leaders believe the vilification drive started fading fast when they directly attacked the 'sponsors' of the campaign, i.e. the Presidency.

"The PML-N is now satisfied that its aggressive response to lies and half truths, spread day in and day out for over a week, did the trick of putting the sponsors of the campaign on the back foot.They were left with no option but to clarify their own positions," The News quoted a PML-N leader, as saying.

The PML-N believes the campaign was an effort to distract public attention from the actual issues like Musharraf's trial on high treason charges and undoing the 17th Amendment.

While efforts were made for reconciliation between the two parties when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif asking him to control the situation, but it is apparent that hatred is smearing inside both the rival political parties.

"This short spell of intense war of words exposed the acrimony, mistrust and misunderstanding existing deep down between the two major political parties, the PPP and the PML-N," a PML-N leader said. (ANI)