Pakistan's PML-N, PPP Explore Rotational Prime Ministership; Court Junks Petitions Against Poll Results

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are discussing the possibility of appointing prime ministers from their parties under a power-sharing framework for a three- and two-year term respectively, according to a report by GeoNews.

The PPP and the PML-N first discussed the idea of appointing a prime minister for half a term on Sunday as part of the efforts to form a coalition government in centre and provinces. The PML-N and the PPP agreed in principle to come together for Pakistan’s political stability following the general election.

The report also said that major parties have agreed to form coalition governments in the centre, Punjab and Balochistan provinces.

PPP president Asif Ali Zardari, chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif from the PML-N attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the PML-N leadership demanded that it would retain the slot of prime minister but then Asif Ali Zardari told the participants that the PPP’s election committee has already nominated Bilawal for the post of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) also met with PML-N leaders and agreed on political cooperation for the formation of future governments. PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from the MQM-P met along with other senior leaders of both parties and agreed in principle to work together for the benefit of Pakistan.

The leadership of the two parties explored the possibility of appointing the prime minister from their parties for half of the five-year term after listening to the PPP’s proposal.

The PML-N leadership also told the PPP that it is in touch with the independents and the leadership of the MQM-P.

Court Turns Down Petitions Against Results

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court turned down 18 petitions challenging the results of constituencies after the general elections on the basis of Form 47s. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi turned down petitions against the election victories of PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Khawaja Asif, Attaullah Tarar and IPP leader Awn Chaudhry, according to the Dawn.

The judge directed the aggrieved to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).