Sharif, Zardari to join hands

In a major pre-poll political development, Pakistan’s two main opposition parties have decided to form a coalition government if they emerge as the largest groups in the February 18 general election to prevent the military from usurping power from elected lawmakers.

PML-N chief and former premier Nawaz Sharif assured Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari that his party would provide support to the PPP in forming a government without seeking a share in power.

Sharif told Zardari he would not seek any share in ministries for PML-N’s support in forming a government. Sharif also said he had been supporting the PPP despite the reservations of some leaders of his party, sources in the PML-N and PPP told the Dawn newspaper. Addressing reporters along with Sharif, Zardari said the PPP would invite the PML-N and “other democratic forces” to join a coalition even if the party won a majority.