ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The chief of the Pakistan Muslim League- Zia (PML-Z), Ijazul Haq, met the chairman of the Pakistan Tehrik- i-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, at the PTI chief’s residence here on Friday.

Both the leaders, who have won only a single seat respectively in the national assembly, discussed at length the present complex political situation and decided to maintain their independent status in the coming parliament.

The central information secretary of the PTI, Akbar S. Babar, who was also present at the meeting told Dawn that the two leaders expressed their concern over the prevalent political situation and expressed the view that the politicians should cooperate and endeavour to put the country back on track by restoring the constitution and democracy.

“Restoration of democracy and the constitution will be the greatest milestone,” Mr Babar quoted Imran Khan as saying.

They said the situation was not clear and it was difficult to suggest who will form the coalition government especially after the tough stance taken by the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy in which it had announced not to cooperate with the parties supporting the president, Gen Pervez Musharraf, said the PTI information secretary.

He said the two leaders were unanimous on the point that the biggest responsibility of steering the country out of the present situation lies with the three major players, which were; the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam; Pakistan People’s Party; and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.

They expressed the confidence that these parties would realize the gravity of the situation and carry out their responsibility amicably to end the present confusion and crisis, he added.

The two leaders also discussed what they called “flawed elections” and alleged that massive rigging had been done by the administration, Mr Babar said.