Fingers crossed, Zardari, Sharif join hands

In a set back to President Pervez Musharraf who was hoping to wean away the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N, the two victorious Opposition parties tonight announced that they would form a coalition government of "national consensus" in Pakistan.They have left open a decision on who should be the next Prime Minister.

"We have agreed on a common agenda. We will work together to form a government together at the Centre and in the provinces," Sharif told a joint news conference in Islamabad with Asif Ali Zardari, husband of assassinated PPP leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The announcement of the two parties formally joining hands they together account for 153 seats in a House of 272 - was made after two hours of negotiations between Zardari and Sharif during which they ironed out differences on some key issues.

"We will ensure that you complete a full five year term," said Sharif looking at Zardari who in turn said there were a "lot of grounds to cover" but "Inshallah (God willing) we will be meeting off and on. In principle we have agreed to stay together."

"We are trying to form a national consensus government," said Zardari.

The coming together of Zardari and Sharif may spell trouble for

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