PPP, PML-Q set to form broad-based government: oath-taking likely on May 2

Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) on Saturday completed their homework for entering into a coalition to from a broad-based government while oath-taking of the expanded Cabinet is likely to be held on May 2, it is learnt. According to sources, a formal agreement to this effect would be signed prior to the PM Gilani's foreign visit.
Sources said a summary on new ministers has been sent to the prime minister. According to the summary, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has been nominated as deputy prime minister/senior minister; Faisal Saleh Hayat, Ghous Bux Mahar and Jam Yousuf as federal ministers. While Sheikh Waqas Akram, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Sardar Shah Jahan Yousuf, Shahnaz Sheikh and Ayaz Sherazi have been proposed to be nominated as state ministers. Adil Sheikh, Mustafa Malik and Raja Basharat have been proposed as advisors to the prime minister.
According to sources, a draft agreement and powering sharing formula has been prepared by experts of the two sides as per the directions of their respective party leaders. Sources said President Asif Ali Zardari has accepted the demand to nominate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as the first deputy prime minister of the country.
The draft agreement comprising distribution of ministries, share of the PML-Q in the forthcoming Senate elections and seat-to-seat adjustment formula between the two parties for the next general elections, senate elections and others has been prepared. Sources said that details of the agreement were worked out in a meeting held at the President House with Faryal Talpur in the chair last Friday night.
According to sources, President Zardari on Friday took Prime Minister Gilani into confidence over his talks with PML-Q leaders and their decision to join the Cabinet. Sources said the two spoke on telephone and discussed the political scenario.
Sources added that both sides also agreed to participate in next general elections with the slogan to create Hazara and Seraiki provinces. Both sides have agreed to create a commission for setting up of Hazara and Seraiki provinces. The commission would decide the issue of distribution of assets and other related issues.
Sources said this power sharing formula would be announced following the signing of a written agreement between the two parties. After the agreement, leadership of both the parties will make a formal announcement at a joint press conference. Sources said PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and other party leaders would hold a meeting today (Sunday) in this regard with President Asif Ali Zardari. PML-Q delegation would also take the prime minister into confidence on power sharing formula.
Besides, the PPP and PML-Q also agreed that the institution of Higher Education Commission, preparation of education curriculum and national narcotics control programme would remain with the Centre. According to sources the President has also accepted the proposal of the Q-League to re-transfer these institutions to the Centre by not devolving the HEC to provinces.
Sources said the post of deputy prime minister would be created by amending the Rules of Business on the orders of the prime minister. Sources said regular office of the deputy prime minister would be housed in the Prime Minister Secretariat while his camp office would be set up at the State Guest House, Lahore.