GEO PAKISTAN

PPP, PML-Q talks for coalition enter final stage

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have completed their homework for entering into a coalition to form a broad-based government, Geo News reported on Saturday. According to sources, nearly all the issues have been settled and negotiations entered in final stage between the two parties as President Asif Ali Zardari has accepted the demand of PML-Q for the slot of Deputy Prime Minister. Chaudhry brothers would hold a meeting in this regard with the President tomorrow (Sunday). PML-Q delegation would also take the Prime Minister into confidence on power sharing formula. The sources said that PML-Q had demanded seven federal ministries besides their state ministers and governorship in Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ministries that PML-Q demanded included foreign, water and power, petroleum and communication. According to the agreement, President Asif Ali Zardari has assured five ministries to PML-Q. The sources further said this power sharing formula would be announced following the signing of a written agreement between the two parties.