Pakistan opposition parties to form coalition government (3rd Lead)

Islamabad - The opposition parties of slain Pakistan leader Benazir Bhutto and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif agreed Thursday to form a coalition government following their big win in parliamentary elections earlier in the week. The decision leaves embattled President Pervez Musharraf's ruling party in opposition and dramatically alters the balance of power in the nuclear-armed nation. Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower husband and co-chairman of her winning Pakistan People's Party (PPP), hosted Sharif for two hours of talks at his Islamabad residence Thursday night. 'We intend to stay together in the parliament,' Zardari told a packed press conference following the meetings. 'We believe democracy is within our grasp.' The leaders also agreed to form coalition governments in provincial assemblies, most likely in Sharif's home province of Punjab. Sharif, who was bitter political rivals with Bhutto during the 1990s, pledged to support the PPP's nomination for prime minister, which has not yet been decided, and back the new government for its entire 5-year term. 'We respect their mandate wholeheartedly,' Sharif told the press conference. 'We will not make any trouble.'

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Pakistan opposition parties to form coalition government (3rd Lead)

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