02-21-2008, 01:59 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Zardari meets US envoy, uncertainty in Pakistan</b>
Pioneer.com
Rezaul H Laskar | Islamabad
Suspense mounted over Government formation in Pakistan ahead of a crucial meeting between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, but the PPP chief ruled out his becoming Prime Minister or having a truck with President Pervez Musharraf who rejected calls for his resignation.
Amid reports that Washington would prefer a Government that would work with Musharraf, Zardari met US Ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson on Wednesday but dismissed reports that he gave assurances on working with the President.
<b>The PPP, which emerged as the single largest party bagging 87 of the 269 seats but cannot form a Government of its own</b>, held a meeting of its Central Executive and considered various options.
After the meeting, Zardari made it clear that he would not be the prime ministerial candidate and his party would chose a nominee from its senior leadership once it is called to form the Government.
Zardari's meeting with Sharif, whose PML is the second largest party with 66 seats, is likely to touch upon cobbling a coalition that could check the powers of the President if not impeach him.
Zardari also said Musharraf will not "last long" in office and that it should be left to the new Parliament to decide on his continuance. Musharraf's Presidential term is up to 2011.
But in significant remarks that could give an indication of the possible new alliance, Zardari has asked the international community, especially the US, to "support us" in building a new era of peace "instead of continuing with the erroneous belief that alliance with a strongman is its best bet to bring stability to Pakistan".
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Butter Popcorn with pinch of salt time <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Pioneer.com
Rezaul H Laskar | Islamabad
Suspense mounted over Government formation in Pakistan ahead of a crucial meeting between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, but the PPP chief ruled out his becoming Prime Minister or having a truck with President Pervez Musharraf who rejected calls for his resignation.
Amid reports that Washington would prefer a Government that would work with Musharraf, Zardari met US Ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson on Wednesday but dismissed reports that he gave assurances on working with the President.
<b>The PPP, which emerged as the single largest party bagging 87 of the 269 seats but cannot form a Government of its own</b>, held a meeting of its Central Executive and considered various options.
After the meeting, Zardari made it clear that he would not be the prime ministerial candidate and his party would chose a nominee from its senior leadership once it is called to form the Government.
Zardari's meeting with Sharif, whose PML is the second largest party with 66 seats, is likely to touch upon cobbling a coalition that could check the powers of the President if not impeach him.
Zardari also said Musharraf will not "last long" in office and that it should be left to the new Parliament to decide on his continuance. Musharraf's Presidential term is up to 2011.
But in significant remarks that could give an indication of the possible new alliance, Zardari has asked the international community, especially the US, to "support us" in building a new era of peace "instead of continuing with the erroneous belief that alliance with a strongman is its best bet to bring stability to Pakistan".
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Butter Popcorn with pinch of salt time <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->