Winning parties to talk forming government

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Leaders of the two Pakistani parties winning the most seats in National Assembly polls said Tuesday they were ready to discuss forming a coalition government.

Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party, said contacts were being made with all parties including the Pakistan Muslim League-N, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Zardari, whose party was emerging as the single biggest winner ahead of Sharif's party, is the husband of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's ruling faction of the Pakistan Muslim League, headed toward a huge defeat, has conceded the election.

Zardari, in Islamabad, said dialogue with all parties would be in the interest of strengthening democracy in the country, the Pakistan news agency reported.

In a similar statement, Sharif, in Lahore, said he would meet Zardari and leaders of other democratic forces on forming the next government, the Press Trust of India reported.

Sharif, ousted in 1999 by Musharraf, also insisted all superior judges, dismissed or replaced by the Musharraf government, must be reinstated so they can rule on the legality of Musharraf's re-election as president last October.

Zardari in his comments alleged there had been selective rigging in Monday's parliamentary polls, the Pakistani news agency reported.

Asked about working with Musharraf, Zardari said the question would be decided in parliament, the report said.