Reports on the meeting in London between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif indicate that the former did not ask for the posts of President, Senate Chairman or Punjab governor for his party. Contrary to the expectations of a number of commentators, the PPP leader is reported to have not discussed the distribution of these positions in the new coalition government, or demanded seat adjustments for his party during the three-hour meeting in London.
According to The News,
“The source said that Nawaz Sharif was told by his advisers that Bilawal may bring up these issues, seeking these positions for the PPP, but to the surprise of everyone Bilawal told Nawaz Sharif he was meeting him not to ask for anything but to discuss the possibility and need of working together in future for the greater cause of strong and vibrant democracy.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Nawaz Sharif have agreed to put aside the old political differences of their parties for now, and committed to remaining in direct contact. They have also agreed to the formation of a joint committee to address disputes that arise in the functioning of the alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which was in the opposition until this month’s successful vote of no-confidence against the Imran Khan-led PTI government and its resulting ouster.
Speaking to the media after the meeting in London, the PPP Chairman lauded the efforts of veteran PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for a democratic transition in Pakistan, claiming that the PPP and PML-N had together brought down an “unelected and selected Raaj,” referring to the erstwhile government led by the PTI’s Imran Khan. Nawaz Sharif returned the compliments, and commented on the prospect of Bilawal taking up the position of Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs on his return to Pakistan, saying that the PPP leader was a “capable man” whose efforts could help improve the country’s global standing.
