LAHORE, Dec 8: The PML-N held talks with the PPP and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) to explore the possibility of fielding joint candidates in the forthcoming by-polls for the national and provincial assembly seats.

Qazi Husain Ahmad, Liaquat Baloch, Farid Paracha, Hafiz Salman Butt and Hafiz Idrees represented the MMA while Zulfikar Khosa, Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Begum Tehmina Daultana, Pervaiz Malik and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq represented the PML-N.

The MMA demanded that one of two Punjab Assembly seats rendered vacant in Lahore by Khwaja Saad and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, should be surrendered to it.

However, the PML-N insisted that party vacating the seats should be allowed to put up its candidates.

The PML-N discussed the same formula with the PPP at a meeting at the residence of Mr Khosa on Sunday.

Although efforts are being made for a joint opposition candidate against the PPP nominees, it will take the three parties some time before reaching any agreement.