Reconciliation saves coalition

Hence no ultimatums were given by Mian Shahbaz, who represented the PML-N at the coalition summit meeting. Both key party leaders of the coalition namely, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, deserve profound appreciation of the 160 million people of Pakistan for displaying a genuine spirit of reconciliation in the best interest of the State of Pakistan thus saving the coalition from breaking up at this critical juncture.

PM Gilani chaired the coalition leaders first formal meeting. PPP Co Chairperson Asif Zardari, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman, CM NWFP Amir Haider Hoti, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik and MNA’s from FATA attended the meeting. In the afternoon session, the meeting was joined by the COAS Gen Ashfaq Kiyani and other top security officials who gave a detailed briefing to the participants on the ground situation in the tribal areas and the nature of the on-going military operations. The important aspect of this meeting is that it centred round the serious threat to the very solidarity and future in the best interest of the federation rather than playing party politics and indulging in rhetoric of sorts including agitation in support of the lawyers’ movement, removal of President Musharraf or Nafaz-e-Sharia as interpreted by certain quarters.