Zardari sworn in as Pakistan President

Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday took over as Pakistan's President and swiftly pledged to come out with ‘some good news’ on Kashmir before this month-end.

The 53-year-old businessman-turned politician, who spent over a decade behind the bars on corruption and other charges, was administered oath of office by Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar in a ceremony at the presidential palace attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai among others.

Zardari, husband of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto, said he would work together with all neighbouring countries.

"We shall stand with each other, we shall not stand in each other's way."

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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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