PPP, ANP seal deal on coalition Govt in NWFP
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—The committees of Pakistan People’s Party and Awami National Party have agreed over a formula for formation of coalition government in NWFP after successful talks here on Wednesday.
According to the formula, the provincial assembly’s speaker office would be awarded to PPP while the slot of Deputy Speaker would be given to ANP. In the provincial cabinet, 12 ministers would belong to ANP while 9 ministers would be from PPP.
The parliamentary leaders of both the parties would get the post of senior ministers in the NWFP cabinet while the Chief Minister of the province would also perform the responsibility of the Interior Minister.
After the conclusion of the meeting, talking to media men, the provincial Presidents of ANP and PPP, Afrasiyab Khattak and Rahimdad Khan have told that there is complete understanding between the two parties and the formula was finalized in a cordial atmosphere. ANP provincial President Afrasiyab Khattak has said that ANP would get the ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Auqaf and Hajj, Education, Information, Local Government, Law Department and Construction.
PPP on the other hand would get the ministries of excise and technician, finance, food, industries, irrigation and revenue department. Commenting on the problems facing by the province, the Provincial President ANP said that the province is confronting numerous challenges and want to resolve all the problems with the consultations, adding that we want to take PML-N along with us. The consultations regarding the awarding of posts of advisors and other posts are underway, he added.
PPP provincial President, Rahimdad Khan while talking to media men has said that there is complete harmony between ANP and PPP and both the parties would work together to steer the province out of current crises. He emphasized that no decision yet has been taken regarding the names of the ministers and the Speaker and the names would be announced after consultations with Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
He said that the ministers would work to improve the living standard of the people and for the elimination of the poverty and unemployment from the province. PPP has decided to hand over premiership to Punjab and party leaders including Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and Yousuf Raza Gillani are being tipped as potential candidates for the slot of prime minister.
Sources privy to PPP told Asif Ali Zardari would announce party nominee for premiership today after parliamentary party meeting.