In a bid to end the deadlock on the formation of a new cabinet, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.
According to reports, the PPP leaders congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on assuming the premiership.
The prime minister thanked the PPP leaders for their cooperation in the formation of the coalition government. He prayed to Allah Almighty to enable the incumbent government to overcome the prevailing challenges.
The prime minister added that his government’s priority was to strive for Pakistan’s uplift through consultation and mutual cooperation.
The development came a day after the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders held a meeting over the formation of the federal cabinet following the ouster of Imran Khan-led government.
According to sources, the PML-N delegation was represented by Ayaz Sadiq, Saad Rafique and Rana Sanaullah while Yousaf Raza Gillani, Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar led the PPP.
Sources added that the PML-N insisted that the PPP should join the federal cabinet. “However, the PPP delegation suggested giving its ministries in a new coalition set up to other allies, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan National Party (BNP) and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
It emerged earlier that the federal cabinet under consideration will likely have 12 ministers from the PML-N and seven from the PPP.
Moreover, the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) is likely to be given four ministries, MQM two ministries, while BNP-Mengal, ANP, JWP and BAP will also be given cabinet portfolios. Moreover, the name of PML-N Senator Azam Nazir Tarar is also under consideration for the leader of the house in the Senate. Also, the PM held meetings with leaders of other allied parties and thanked them for his nomination for the office of the prime minister.
