The two sides were no closer than before to resolving key issues confronting the nation.

But at the same time PML-N admitted that the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was not discussed even once, indicating an unprecedented level of understanding between the two leaders to resolve the thorny issue of 17th Amendment.

Sources privy to the meeting said Mr Sharif remained focussed on adopting the 18th Amendment that would repeal former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s 17th Amendment.

The amendment imposed a ban on two-time prime ministers from contesting for a third term and gave politically undesired powers to the president.

Later a joint statement was issued by the presidency which added nothing to anyone’s information because neither side was ready to reveal anything.

Despite their differences, the mere fact that the meeting did take place after four months means the two sides are keen to resolve political differences.

Expectations of a breakthrough had preceded the talks. An understanding on repeal of the 17th Amendment and the fate of the NRO were being held out as highly likely.

However, sources said both sides put the onus on each other for the resolution of key issues, but no solid assurances were given by either of them.

President Zardari and his team agreed to expedite the process of repealing the 17th Amendment, but put the responsibility on N-League of taking other coalition partners into confidence that the opposition party will not confront their major demands.

President Zardari asked Nawaz Sharif to accept the Awami National Party’s demand about renaming the NWFP as Pakhtoonkhwa. He also mentioned the Balochistan National Party’s demand regarding provincial autonomy.

The president directed Senator Raza Rabbani, head of the NRO committee, to complete recommendations in 10 days and send them to the parliament.

The absence of any discussion on NRO could only be described as astonishing.

It indicated that PML-N wanted to give some concession to the president and some of his close aides whose cases had been wrapped up under the ordinance.

In return it demanded the repeal of the 17th Amendment so that Nawaz Sharif could again become prime minister.

‘During the 90-minute meeting and dinner nobody even used the word NRO,’ said PML-N’s senior leader Raja Zafrul Haq in a press conference after the meeting.

Before the meeting, not only the people but the PML-N was also confident there would be some breakthrough but it remain to be seen what had been achieved by the opposition leader.

‘There must be some breakthrough in the meeting,’ Nawaz Sharif had told reporters before the meeting.
 
Mr Sharif also called for the trial of former president Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Sharif was of the view that if Musharraf was tried, it would serve as a deterrent for aspiring dictators, Raja Zafarul Haq said.

PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif had secretly met the Chief of the Army Staff two weeks ago.

After the Zardari-Nawaz meeting, a joint statement said PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif called at the head of a seven-member delegation.

The PML-N delegation included Raja Zafarul Haq, Ishaq Dar, Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Javed Hashmi and Mamnoon Hussain.

The president was assisted by Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Jehangir Badar, Khurshid Shah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Mian Raza Rabbani, Babar Awan, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Farhatullah Babar, it said.

According to the statement, talks between the two sides were held pursuant to the meeting held on July 17.

The two parties reiterated that dialogue and discussion were the essence of the democratic process. They also agreed that the doors of meaningful and result-oriented dialogue should always remain open, it said.

The presidential spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said the talks were held in a cordial and frank atmosphere and driven by a spirit of mutual accommodation.

The two parties reiterated commitment to the principles laid down in the Charter of Democracy to democratise the Constitution.

They also agreed to implement legislative and administrative reforms outlined in the charter. The two parties stressed that the task should be completed expeditiously in consultation with other political parties.

He said both parties agreed that militancy posed the greatest challenge to national security and needed to be tackled effectively and urgently.

They lauded the armed forces, the police, other law enforcement agencies and the nation on for their valiant struggle and sacrifices rendered in the fight against militancy.

Subjects discussed in the meeting included constitutional and legal reforms, the Charter of Democracy, the situation in Balochistan, fight against militancy, economic development for achieving self-reliance and accountability.