Lahore, Mar 15 (ANI): If sources privy to the ongoing consultation process for government formation between the PPP and the PML-N are to be believed, Nawaz Sharif has put forth the claim for the foreign ministry for his party, even as the PPP wants to retain it with itself.

According to them, the PML-N has showed its aversion towards the finance ministry under the fear that it might attract public’s wrath in the wake of a not-so-people-friendly budget to be announced later this year.

Sources say that although the two parties might have uniformity of views over domestic issues, they might adopt slightly different approaches to deal with certain foreign policy issues, especially those that might be of great concern to the US.

The PPP was finding it hard to meet this demand from one of its major coalition partners as it also wanted to keep foreign ministry with itself being the majority party in the parliament, reported The Nation.

The party has capable parliamentarians like former Foreign Minister Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali and former Speaker National Assembly Yousuf Raza Gilani to head the ministry of foreign affairs.

According to the paper, some more rounds of talks between the PPP and the PML-N are likely to take place in the coming days to resolve all contentious issues with regard to fixation of their share in the federal ministries.

It is to be noted that initially the PML-N was reluctant to become part of the federal cabinet, and it was only after strong insistence from PPP leadership that it agreed to accept some ministries. But now as the PML-N has decided to take government offices, it seems resolute to get the portfolios of its choice. (ANI)