LAHORE, March 22: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif warmly welcomed the gesture of reconciliation made by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during a meeting here on Sunday, but avoided making any commitment about a political arrangement till a decision in the case relating to his and his brother’s electoral eligibility.

Talking to journalists after the meeting in Raiwind, Mr Sharif and Mr Gilani said they were determined to make the Charter of Democracy (CoD) the basis of cooperation. They did not say if they had made any progress on the issue of restoring the pre-Feb 25 situation in Punjab by lifting governor’s rule.

When asked if he would meet President Asif Zardari, the PML-N chief said: “I don’t have personal difference with Zardari Sahib. There were principled differences with him. A major part of them has already been resolved and the remaining issues will also be settled if the CoD is implemented in letter and spirit.”

A PML-N leader said his party had made no commitment about forming a coalition with the PPP because it hoped to attract a majority of PML-Q’s MPAs to the forward bloc and form government with its help without any fear of their disqualification.

Prime Minister Gilani said he was against governor’s rule, but would not comment on the sub judice matter.

He said he was against the assertion that the provincial assembly could be convened only when any two of the three major parties formed an alliance.

He said if it appeared that the verdict on the review petition in the eligibility case was going to be delayed, the majority party would be invited to form government.

He did not rule out inclusion of the PPP in the ‘restored’ provincial government.

When asked if Governor Salman Taseer, whom the PML-N terms a major irritant in the reconciliation process, would be removed, the prime minister said he could only say that there would be no hurdle in the path of reconciliation.

Replying to a question, he said the issue of PML-N rejoining the federal cabinet did not figure in the talks.

When asked about PML-N’s threat to launch a long march to the Governor’s House, Mr Sharif denied there was any such plan.

The prime minister was not accompanied by any member of his cabinet or PPP leader during his visit to the Sharifs’ residence.

APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani said the previous power-sharing arrangement between the PML-N and the PPP in Punjab would continue to serve the masses, subject to the decision of the Supreme Court on the review petition. Otherwise, the party enjoying majority would be asked to form the provincial government, he said.

He said the government would accept the court’s decision.

Mr Sharif said: “If the Charter of Democracy is implemented in letter and sprit, Asif Ali Zardari is our President and Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is our Prime Minister.”
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