PML-N, PPP join hands again to form government in Federal, Punjab

As none of the major political parties secured a simple majority in elections, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have joined hands to form a coalition government in Centre and Punjab. 

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif met PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday at the residence of Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore.

Sources said that Shehbaz Sharif asked the PPP top brass to sit with the PML-N for 'political and economic stability' in Pakistan.

Sources added the former allies have agreed to form a government in Punjab and at the centre, however, the final decision will be made in the next meeting.

According to the results of 250 National Assembly seats, PTI-backed independent candidates clinched 99 seats followed by PML-N, who managed to secure 71 seats.

Earlier, addressing the party workers in Model Town Lahore, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif invited independent candidates to build a coalition government. 

In the public speech, Elder Sharif had tasked Younger Sharif to meet Zardari, Fazlur Rehman, and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

“We respect the other parties’ mandate, whether it’s a party or independent people, and invite them to come and sit with us to get Pakistan out of difficulties as our agenda is prosperous Pakistan,” he said in his celebratory speech. 

“At least 10 years are needed for the country’s stability. Pakistan cannot afford any fight at this time. We have to sit together and we have to settle matters,” he maintained.