NEW YORK, Feb 25: Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari says a coalition of PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-N will be unable to impeach President Pervez Musharraf and, therefore, he will seek a working relationship with the embattled leader.

“The ground reality is that we do not have two-thirds majority in both the houses of parliament” that would be required for a successful impeachment, Mr Zardari told the Wall Street Journal in an interview.

“Our main objective is to work for the smooth transition to democracy,” he said.

The WSJ said that Mr Zardari’s comments were among the most conciliatory to date regarding its intended approach to Mr Musharraf.

The PPP-PML-N pairing has caused concern that the two parties might focus too much on seeking Mr Musharraf’s ouster and not enough on fighting religious militants.

“We want to unify the country, which is facing some very serious challenges,” Mr Zardari said.

“We have to establish democracy and for that we need unity and not confrontation.”

The PPP has not nominated its candidate for the top job of prime minister, but Mr Zardari confirmed that Amin Fahim was the front-runner.

“We will name the candidate when the party is invited to form the government,” he said.Mr Zardari said the PPP government would increase cooperation with the US, adding that Pakistan faced its own threat from extremists.

“We are fighting our own war on terror, rather than the American war on terror,” he said.Mr Zardari said his government wouldn’t talk to the militants, but that it would reach out to the people living in the tribal areas.

“We will take democracy there and political reforms to win the support of the tribesmen.”

Mr Zardari also said that he did not have any intention of becoming prime minister, but would concentrate on party organisation and assist the government.

Though leader of the party, he didn’t seek a seat in parliament in the election. “It is more important to guide the government and the party,” he said.

He also indicated that he might run for a parliamentary seat in a by-election in Ms Bhutto’s constituency in Sindh.

“I will contest the elections if the party decides,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Ghastly attack
Updated 12 Oct, 2024

Ghastly attack

Duki attack comes at a time when Pakistan’s foreign friends are looking to make major investments in the country, while SCO moot kicks off next week.
Saudi investments
12 Oct, 2024

Saudi investments

THE Saudi investment commitments to Islamabad seem to be taking tangible shape after months of uncertainty around...
Into the abyss
12 Oct, 2024

Into the abyss

THE Pakistan cricket team continues to set unwanted records. On Friday, Shan Masood’s men became the first team in...
Disaffected voices
11 Oct, 2024

Disaffected voices

A FRESH stand-off is brewing between the state, and the recently banned PTM, principally over the tribal jirga that...
Joint anti-smog steps
11 Oct, 2024

Joint anti-smog steps

CLIMATE change knows no borders. Hence, much of the world is striving to control the rapidly rising global...
Agri taxes
11 Oct, 2024

Agri taxes

IT is not a good omen that reforms are once again being delayed. According to the finance minister, a new tax regime...