ISLAMABAD, March 13: A committee of the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-N discussed on Thursday allocation of cabinet positions among coalition partners at the centre and in Punjab.

Sources told Dawn that although there was a general agreement among the parties over a formula for representation in the federal cabinet and parliamentary standing committees, there were differences over some important ministries.

Senator Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Khwaja Mohammad Asif of the PML-N and Senator Raza Rabbani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Syed Khursheed Shah, Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar and Senator Farooq Hamid Naek of the PPP attended the meeting held at the Parliament House.

A PPP leader said the PML-N was demanding some ‘strategic’ ministries.

The sources said the two parties were yet to decide about the ministries of interior, finance, foreign affairs and defence.

PPP information secretary Sherry Rehman told reporters that the next round of talks would be held on Monday. She said representatives of the Awami National Party would also attend the meeting.

Naveed Qamar denied there were differences between the two sides.

Meanwhile, ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar separately called on PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari to discuss matters relating to formation of the government.

The ANP chief told reporters that his party had decided to join the coalition to save the country which was facing a serious crisis. He naming a candidate for the post of prime minister was the right of the PPP.