LAHORE, March 7: PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari and PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif are meeting on Saturday to discuss matters regarding formation of a coalition government and work out a strategy for reinstatement of deposed judges, an issue on which their parties have different points of view.

The two leaders may also discuss the proposed coalition’s ties with President Musharraf, which is another subject on which the PPP and the PML-N have conflicting opinions.

The Nawaz-Zardari meeting was slated for Friday, but was delayed for a day for various reasons.

Although the two rivals have already agreed to jointly govern the country, they have not been able to discuss details of the future set-up owing to some ‘irritants’ which are keeping the two sides apart.

A PPP leader said that Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif were in a position to take a decision on the issue of judges and ties with the president. Once they settled the matter, constitutional and political experts of the two parties would work out the remaining details.

A meeting of the provincial parliamentary parties of the PPP and the PML-N will also be held in the city on Saturday.

PML-N president Mian Shahbaz Sharif will host a dinner for the legislators-elect of the two parties and those who have announced their support for them.

PPP’s provincial president Shah Mehmud Qureshi and other office-bearers will also be present.

The gathering will enable the hosts to show their parliamentary support.

The PML (Functional), the MMA and dozens of independents have decided to support the PML-N or the PPP.