KARACHI, Feb 12: There appears to be an inclination for close cooperation between the PPP and PML-N as was evident from the fact that Nawaz Sharif took pains to visit Mr Asif Zardari at Naudero and now Mr Zardari has visited Mr Sharif in Lahore. It is not a secret that Mr Zardari was doing the rounds with Mr Sharif before Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan.

At that time, according to sources, Mr Zardari tried to convince Mr Sharif that a rapprochement with President Pervez Musharraf was not only in the interest of the PPP but also of the PML-N as the National Reconciliation Ordina-nce and abrogation of sections barring a third prime ministerial term opened way for the PML-N as well.

And at their Lahore meeting on Tuesday, Mr Sharif offered unconditional help to the PPP in forming government after the Feb 18 election.

Table (left) is based on the premise that there is a five per cent swing in favour of the Pakistan People’s Party and PML-N (each) across Pakistan. The swing is mainly at the cost of PML-Q.—Fahim Zaman