Islamabad: Following extensive negotiations, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have reached a consensus to form a new coalition in Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the PPP, announced that Shehbaz Sharif, President of the PML-N, is poised to resume the position of Prime Minister, with Asif Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP, designated to assume the presidency of the nation.
The announcement was made by party leaders in a joint news conference late on Tuesday night. Bhutto-Zardari said, "The PPP and PML-N have achieved the required number, and [now] we are in a position to form the government," Geo news reported.
After the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party-backed candidates and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) failed to secure a simple majority in the elections, the coalition agreement between the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged. Shehbaz Sharif, expressing appreciation for the leadership of both parties, highlighted their unity and capacity to form a government.
This decision comes after initial talks on Monday, where consensus on power-sharing arrangements was elusive following a fractured verdict in the February 8 election. The PML-N, securing 75 seats, joined forces with the PPP, which garnered 54 seats, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) pledged their 17 seats in support. Together, they aspire to collectively address the forthcoming challenges.