PM to talk reconciliation

LAHORE - In the fast changing political scenario, both PPP and PML-N leaders are heading fast for rapprochement.
When the two sides bury the hatchet and join hands once again depends mostly upon the mega event scheduled to be held at Raiwind on Sunday (today) where Sharifs are hosting a lunch to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the PPP new frontman with a mandate to negotiate with the estranged allies.
The sources from both parties are hopeful of quick turnaround and an early breakthrough in the talks between the two mainstream parties who joined hand after February 18 elections but fell out later on the judges issue amid heightening tension and confrontation.
The Prime Minister who emerged as a national figure at the moment and in whom not only PML (N) but other parties also repose full confidence, who is also credited for finding the solution of the long-drawn-out judges issue, will try to persuade the PML (N) leaders to join Federal govt with the expectation that PPP will again be inducted in the Punjab as was the case before the imposition of Governor's rule.
Sources in PPP are of the view that Gilani will seek such a settlement, which is acceptable to both the parties, based upon the principle of no-win no-loss for any stakeholder. Already the federal government has filed review petition against the disqualification of both Nawaz and Shahbaz, seeking quick relief from the court.
In case the relief sought by the federal govt is granted then the Punjab govt led by PML (N) will automatically be restored, legal experts suggest.
The sources are quite hopeful that two sides would be able to patch up their differences, pinning heavy hopes on the meeting between Gilani and Sharifs.
Meanwhile, it seems that Sharifs have dumped the idea of hosting lunch for the Chaudhrys at least for the time being. A meeting was expected between Shujaat and Sharifs at Raiwind on Saturday (today), but it never materialised due to lukewarm response of the Sharifs.
It is learnt that both sides have not made any contact to ensure a meeting between Chaudhrys and Sharifs. Sources in PML (Q) claimed that no meeting between Chaudhrys and Nawaz or Shahbaz is expected in near future. The PML (N) leaders have paid little attention towards the idea proposed by Ch Shujaat to form a tripartite govt in the Punjab, involving PPP, PML (N) and PML (Q). As such the fate of Shujaat formula to break the political impasse hangs in the balance.
The sources also claimed that chances of any PPP-PML (Q) alliance are now quite remote with PPP and PML (N) reviving their contacts.
Meanwhile, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that the nation had taken a quantrum leap by getting the deposed judges reinstated and now it should unite to flush out the last remnants of dictatorship. Nawaz made this comment while addressing a meeting of PML-N leaders and workers at Raiwind held to review preparations of March 23 General Council meeting.
PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Sartaj Aziz, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Hamza Shahbaz attended the meeting. Nawaz termed the reinstatement of judiciary a positive result of people's struggle.
He said the nation had played its role in achieving political stability and steering Pakistan out of political imbroglio. PML-N chief said that existence of strong political forces could go a long way in strengthening democratic process and ensure political stability in the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that he has come to the city with a reconciliatory message, and will meet Nawaz Sharif and others on Sunday (today). He was talking to mediamen here on Saturday.
In one of the perhaps shortest talks to the media, the premier did not further dilate upon the message. However, he said the details of the reconciliation would be unveiled after the meeting.
To a question about the 17th Amendment, Gilani said he would talk about it later on.
Earlier, upon his arrival in the provincial capital here on Saturday night, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Federal Minister Samina Khalid Ghurki, General Secretary PPP Senator Jahangir Badr, MPA Qasim Zia and other PPP leaders welcomed him at the airport.