Times of India

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE, Feb 22: President Pervez Musharraf stood isolated on Thursday as Pakistan's three big political parties, PPP, PML(N) and ANP, moved towards forming a new government, ending all hope of an alliance for the embattled "King’s party", PML(Q).

Although the crucial meeting between Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif failed to resolve their differences over the restoration of the sacked judges and the fate of Musharraf, the two leaders for now would focus on staying together and forming a government.

This is the first meeting between Zardari and Sharif after the ruling Musharraf-backed PML(Q) was routed in this week's momentous elections. Zardari and Sharif, once bitter rivals, discussed a "national consensus government" that will also include smaller parties like the Awami National Party and the Sindh-based Mohajir Quami Movement.

Soon after the meeting, Zardari told reporters that the new government's first task would be to ask the UN for an impartial probe into the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto at an election rally on December 27. Former prime minister Sharif said that he and Zardari had agreed on "a common agenda".