PPP, PML-N should work together: Pak PM

LAHORE: Extending an olive branch to former ally Nawaz Sharif "on behalf of the government", Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said
his PPP and the PML-N should "remove misunderstandings" and work together for the sake of democracy and economic development in Pakistan. ( Watch )

The two leaders addressed the media emerging from a over two-hour-long luncheon meeting, their first since a political crisis was defused on March 16 when the government acceded to PML-N demand to restore Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry and other judges sacked by ex-President Pervez Musharraf during the 2007 emergency.

Amid speculation that the meeting may lead to formation of a PPP-PML-N alliance and sidelining of President Asif Ali Zardari, Gilani said "I am here with a message from Zardari...I, on the behalf of the government, come to Nawaz Sharif with an olive branch."

Noting that Pakistan is facing many challenges including on the economic front, the premier said the two parties should "remove misunderstandings" and "work together" for democracy and economic development of the country.

Sharif said he "appreciates" Gilani's message which reflects "his concern for the nation".

"The restoration of judiciary has fulfilled the popular demand...it is not a matter of winning or losing. It is a victory of justice and a victory of the masses," the former premier said.

Gilani also said the possibility of the PPP and PML-N working together could not be ruled out if the apex court reversed its verdict disqualifying the Sharif brothers from electoral politics.

Using cricket language, Sharif said," they (PPP) have won the toss and started their innings. They are batting and we are bowling. It should be a good match so the people of Pakistan can enjoy it and be happy."

Sharif said a key demand of the PML-N was fulfilled with the government's decision last week to reinstate the deposed judges.

The PPP-led government should now implement the Charter of Democracy, which was signed by the two parties in 2006, Sharif told a joint news conference with Gilani.

Under the provisions of the Charter of Democracy, the 17th constitutional amendment that gives the President sweeping powers should be scrapped and the constitution restored to its original position to ensure justice and rule of law, Sharif said.

Sharif made it clear that the two parties had not held any discussions on the PML-N rejoining the PPP-led government at the centre.

Hundreds of lawyers and activists who have agitated for Chaudhry's return gathered outside the judge's home in Islamabad for a ceremonial flag-raising. They carried balloons and threw rose petals, calling the judge's reinstatement a milestone for democracy.

"It is a day of victory for the people of Pakistan,'' lawyer leader Aitzaz Ahsan said.