PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari today spurned overtures to lead governments in Punjab and the NWFP with the help of pro-Musharraf PML-Q and independents and declared that majority parties in both provinces had the right to form governments.

Addressing MPs from Punjab, Zardari pledged to support the PML-N in Punjab and the ANP in the NWFP in the formation of the government. He said the PPP would not align with those who had remained part of the outgoing government.

Zardari said his party would discourage horse trading to woo independent members to muster artificial majority. Two PML-Q leaders from Punjab, Manzur Wattoo and Hamid Nazir Chathha, met Zardari last evening and offered to extend support to the PPP if it made a bid to form government. An independent member from the NWFP, Anwar Saifullah, also met Zardari today and sought his support to lead the provincial government with the help of the PPP, the PML-Q, the JUI and independents.

In Peshawar, the PPP provincial leadership announced it had abandoned its efforts to garner the majority support and would support the ANP to lead the government. The ANP has won 32 seats against 17 PPP and 19 independents.

“The top leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP) and the PPP have decided to join hands and form a coalition government in the NWFP,” ANP provincial chief Afrasiyab Khattak announced. Khattak said the independents could have gained critical prominence in the formation of government if the ANP and the PPP had not attained the required majority of members in the province.

A representative gathering of elected and defeated candidates of the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) today announced it would sit in the opposition and play a positive role to strengthen the Parliament.

The meeting that took place amid reports of looming wave of desertions in the wake of a stunning rout the PML-Q suffered in the elections, was presided over by PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Shujaat himself lost in the polls. He later told reporters that the party stood united and discounted reports of any significant defections. There were also reports that a section of leaders favoured joining hands with former premier Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, secretary-general Mushahid Hussqain Sayed said the PML-Q would not involve itself in government formation except in Balochistan where it had emerged as the single largest party. He did not comment on reports that President Musharraf and the Bush administration were trying to stitch together a coalition comprising the PPP, the PML-Q, the MQM, the ANP and independents to upstage the PML-N and save Musharraf from quitting the national scene.

“We will sit in the opposition and support the new government on a national political, economic and social agenda,” Mushahid said. He defined this agenda as making Parliament pivot of decision making on all issues of national importance, promoting provincial autonomy, combating terrorism and extremism and advance public welfare, education and health services.

He said the participants in the meeting deliberated candidly on the causes of party’s defeat. He acknowledged that one member Riaz Pirzada demanded the resignation of Shujaat Hussain, but got no support in the meeting.

Media reports said at least 15 newly elected MPs had already formed a “forward bloc” while more were weighing legal options to defect and join one of the two winning parties - the PPP and the PML-N. Former premier Nawaz Sharif has invited the PML-Q members minus Chaudhry cousins to return to their ‘parent party’.

A prominent PML-Q leader and former speaker Hamid Nasir Chathha and a former provincial Chief Minister Manzoor Wattoo, met PPP co-chairperson Asif Zardari last evening. Both were allied to the PPP in the 1990s against Nawaz Sharif. Chathha lost the National Assembly election but had won a provincial seat.

Washington, February 23
Vowing to strengthen ties with the “natural partner” India, Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, has noted that the hardworking Indian-American professionals are adding to the “richness” of the US society and invited the community to join him in “renewing the strength” of this country.

“The world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy are natural partners, sharing important interests and fundamental democratic values,” Obama said in a yet to be published article in the ethnic ‘India Abroad’ newspaper, excerpts of which were given in a write-up yesterday.

The Illinois Democrat, who is giving his party rival for presidential nomination Hillary Rodham Clinton a run for her money and hopes to clinch the Ohio and Texas primaries of March 4 to further consolidate his position, recognised the major contributions of Indian-American community to the US economy as well as the fabric of the American society.

“Already, in communities across this country, Indian Americans are lifting up our economy and creating jobs,” he said and pointed out that “leading entrepreneurs, innovators, lawyers, doctors, engineers, and hardworking professionals are adding to the richness and success of the American society.” The 46-year-old Democrat also took a direct hit at the hate crimes that attracted a lot of attention in the US in the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

“Too often flawed strategies like racial profiling have had a disproportionate effect on Indian-Americans. Too often, restrictions at our borders have prevented entry for many students and family members, who seek nothing more than opportunity and reunification with loved ones,” he said.

“Instead of policies that make Indian-Americans feel targeted or excluded from the American story, I will be a President, who draws upon the energy and expertise of the Indian American community,” Obama said. — PTI

Kathmandu, February 23
Talks between the Nepal Government and agitating ethnic Indian Madhesi groups were stalled today after the ruling seven-party alliance rejected their key demand for an autonomous region of Terai, heightening the political uncertainty in the country.

A meeting of the seven major parties held at the Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar here has decided to fulfill all demands of the Madhesis except that of 'one Madhes, one Pradesh' - a single autonomous region of Terai with right to self-determination, informed sources said.

The parties said they were ready for further negotiations to resolve the ethnic strife, but the Madhesi groups insisted that they would only sit for a dialogue if it is "meaningful" and would not take part in April's crucial Constituent Assembly elections if their demands were not fulfilled.

A round of talks between the two sides scheduled for today was not held, sources said adding, the negotiations were stalled for now.

"Our agitation will continue, and we will continue our peaceful demonstrations to press for our demands," Ramchandra Ray, central member of Terai Madhesh Democratic Party, told PTI.

The parties agreed to include the Madhesis and other ethnic minorities in all organs of the state, declare all those killed during last year's agitation in Terai as "martyrs", provide medical treatment to those injured. — PTI

London, February 23
A 16-year-old girl from Argentina is now a mother to seven children after giving birth to triplets for the second time.

Pamela, who comes from the remote town of Leones in the central Argentine province of Cordoba, had her first set of triplets at the age of 15, when she was already having a son, whom she gave birth at 14, reports BBC.

Both sets of triplets are all girls and were born prematurely. Pamela’s case has now triggered a debate across Argentina, with the teenager’s promiscuity being talked about in the South American country’s cafes and bars.

The provincial authorities have supported Pamela’s family by donating land and building them a house when the first set of triplets was born.

However, Pamela’s mum, who supports her daughter and grandchildren by cleaning houses, said they would now have to seek more assistance from the government.

According to some Argentines, Pamela needs more advice on contraception. —ANI