Pak: PPP, allies finalise power-sharing formula

The Pakistan People's Party and its allies on Tuesday finalised a formula for power-sharing in their planned government, though there was still no word on the coalition's prime ministerial candidate.

A committee comprising leaders of the PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam decided during a meeting in Islamabad that the parties would share power and distribute slots in the federal cabinet according to their numerical strength in the two houses of parliament.

PPP spokesperson Sherry Rehman said the parties had agreed on a 'formula for power-sharing' while senior PML-N leader Ishaq Dar described the understanding as "very judicious and equitable formula based on the numerical strength of the four parties in the National Assembly".

Rehman and Dar told reporters that the formula will include 'weightage for the strength of the parties in the Senate' or upper house of parliament. Dar said Tuesday's meeting marked the final round of discussions among the parties on modalities for forming the government.

"A consensus formula has been agreed upon and this will be sent by the committee to respective party leaders and we hope to have very smooth sailing from now on," he said.

The PPP, however, is yet to resolve differences within the party over nominating a candidate for premiership. Party spokesman Farhatullh Babar said a decision would be made at the 'right time' but did not give details. PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has been holding consultations with the party's MPs and allies for over two weeks on the issue but is yet to take a final decision.