ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: The Pakistan People’s Party decided on Thursday to try to form its own government in Punjab, keeping all ‘options open’, including an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Q.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee jointly presided over by Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Sources in the PPP told Dawn the president would meet party MNAs and MPAs from Punjab on Friday. After the meeting, the party would announce its new political partner in the province.

The CEC reviewed the political situation against the backdrop of the disqualification of Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif and the imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab, a PPP leader who attended the meeting said.

The committee endorsed President Zardari’s decision to impose governor’s rule and decided to end alliance with the PML-N in Punjab.

“All options are open and the CEC has decided to go for a political realignment in the province,” President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn.

Observers believe that chances of reconciliation with Nawaz Sharif diminished after he vehemently criticised President Zardari at a rally in Sheikhupura and the countrywide violence by PML-N workers who also destroyed a monument of Benazir Bhutto at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.

The CEC unanimously adopted a resolution expressing full confidence in the leadership of Mr Zardari and vowed to continue the struggle for emancipation of the people with renewed vigour and determination.

A press release issued by the Presidency said the meeting unanimously condemned the burning of posters, portraits and banners bearing pictures of Benazir Bhutto.

It denounced what it called vandalism in strongest possible terms and said such acts could not be tolerated.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan did not attend the meeting because his CEC membership was suspended recently for ‘violating party rules and discipline’.