Pak Polls: PPP seeks invitation to form govt

As uncertainty over formation of next government in Pakistan persisted, the PPP, which emerged the largest party in the recent general election, today asked the Musharraf regime to invite it to form new administration amid reports that the beleaguered President was finalising an "exit strategy for himself."

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders, who have been discussing possible formation of a coalition government with other opposition parting following the February 18 polls, said the administration had not yet invited it to form government.

The matter was also discussed during PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's meeting with newly elected lawmakers from Balochistan province, they said while asking the government to convene a session of the new National Assembly.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N party and the PPP last week announced plans to form coalition governments at the centre and in the provinces.

Senior PML-N leader Khwaja Muhammad Asif today called on Zardari to discuss cooperation between the two parties in forming the new government. Asif told reporters he had no message for Zardari from PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

"My meeting is a continuation of the earlier meeting between the PPP and PML-N on forming the government. We had agreed to have further consultations and to discuss the emerging political situation," Asif said.

"We have decided we will work together and respect each other's mandate." A close aide of President Pervez Musharraf, meanwhile, told London's 'Sunday Telegraph' that the embattled leader, whose allies were routed in the polls, "is considering stepping down in days" to avoid a showdown with the newly elected Parliament.

However, a Presidential spokesman denied that Musharraf was considering quitting.

Reporting by Rezaul H Laskar.