Zardari invites Sharif, might discuss reconciliation

Islamabad: Pakistan's beleaguered President Asif Ali Zardari, under pressure over a controversial US aid package and troubled by the possible revival of graft cases, has invited opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to a banquet next week, during which the two might discuss reconciliation.

Sharif has accepted Zardari's invitation to attend the banquet being hosted in honour of visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan.

The two leaders are expected to hold a separate meeting before or after the banquet to discuss key issues, including the Kerry-Lugar bill and the ratification of the National Reconciliation Ordinance by parliament.

Zardari and Sharif, who have had an uneasy relationship since the PML-N pulled out of the Pakistan People's Party-led ruling coalition in August last year, could also discuss a proposal to revive their reconciliation on the basis of the Charter of Democracy signed by the two parties in 2006.

The powerful military continues to have concerns about conditions attached to aid to be provided under the Kerry-Lugar bill, which was recently signed by US President Barack Obama.

Sources told PTI these concerns have not been fully addressed by the explanatory statement appended to the bill.