Islamabad: Pakistan's newly elected MPs began assembling today for the maiden session of the new parliament amid tight security, setting in motion the process for the formation of a coalition government by parties that defeated President Pervez Musharraf's allies in Feb 18 polls.

A total of 334 members of the National Assembly will be sworn in by outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain. Following this, they will elect a speaker and deputy speaker for the 342-member lower house of parliament.

Ahead of the swearing in ceremony, the Pakistan People's Party, PML-N and Awami National Party which are set to form the coalition government will hold a joint parliamentary party meeting to nominate their candidates for speaker and deputy speaker.

The meeting, to be chaired by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, is also expected to give final shape to modalities for forming government and the distribution of berths in the federal cabinet.

However, the PPP is yet to settle differences within the party on nominating a prime ministerial candidate.

Party vice chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was the front-runner for the slot till Zardari sidelined him, said he had no plans to quit the PPP if he was not chosen for the post.

Asked about reports that Zardari himself wanted to be the premier, Fahim told reporters outside the parliament building,
Source : PTI