A much-awaited meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif concluded without any breakthrough, Pakistani media reports said Tuesday.
The Monday meeting was held at an invitation by Zardari but the two sides were no closer than before to resolving key issues confronting the nation, the newspaper Dawn said.
However, PML-N admitted that the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was
not discussed even once, indicating an unprecedented level of understanding
between the two leaders to resolve the thorny issue of 17th Amendment.
Zardari agreed to the PML-N demand for the repeal of the 17th Amendment and the implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) as soon as possible, but did not give a
timeframe, according to the Daily Times.
Although the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) also complained of the PML-N's role in
"destabilizing the government," both parties branded the talks "positive, productive and good for the democratic process."
The PML-N assured the PPP that it would not become a party to anything aimed at
destabilizing the government. However, it warned that the PPP's "poor governance" could derail
the democratic system.
Addressing a press conference, PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq recalled commitments made by the president, and said, "It is time for action."
Haq said the national security situation came under discussion, and both parties agreed that
terrorism must be eliminated. However, the PML-N said that force should not be the only option.
The PML-N chairman said that both parties agreed to continue talks, but did not decide a
time or place for the next meeting.
A statement by the Presidency said, "The two sides reiterated their commitment to uphold
democratic principles as laid down in the CoD."