Politicking for govt. formation in final stage

Politicking in the capital reaches new heights, as the major political players gather to hold last-minute talks prior to the convening of the parliament.
The question of next prime minister is yet to be resolved. The opening session of the newly elected National Assembly scheduled to be held on March 17 (Monday) and the arrangements for the session being finalized. Pakistan People’s Party, Muslim League (N), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have formed a joint strategy for formation of government ahead of the NA session. Most of the new members of the parliament have already reached Islamabad for the assembly session. Pakistan People’s Party holding consultations within party ranks over the names of speaker and deputy speaker. Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will announce the names of the party’s candidates for speaker and deputy speaker slots. According to the party sources if the prime minister named from Punjab the offices of speaker and deputy speaker would go to Sindh and NWFP respectively. The National Assembly secretariat was issuing passes and cards to the assembly members, while special passes being issued to the guests.
The parliamentary party meetings of various political parties will be held before the assembly session. A joint meeting of the new coalition will be held at 09:00 am on Monday. The first session of the assembly will be held on 11:00 am in which, Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Hussain will administer oath to the new members of the assembly.
PPP has not yet announced the name of its prime minister candidate and the chief minister of Balochistan. The prime minister’s name is likely to be announced after the opening session of the house. Meanwhile, the PML (Q) leaders have vowed to field their candidates for the offices of speaker and deputy speaker. The process of government formation will be completed by March 23rd, the political circles said.