Opposition to Unite Against Musharraf

Pakistan's two largest opposition parties pledged to form a coalition government last night, stepping up pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to resign.

After meeting in Islamabad for the first time since Monday's general election, Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif said they would come together in the national and provincial assemblies.

They did not say when the government would be formed or who would be prime minister, indicating further talks.

"We intend to stay together, to be together in parliament," said Zardari, whose Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won most seats in Monday's election. Sharif, whose party came second, again urged Musharraf to step down.

"The nation has given its verdict ... the sooner he accepts it, the better," he said.

In an apparent compromise, Sharif softened his position on the issue of the reinstatement of judges sacked by Musharraf: "In principle there is no disagreement on the restoration of the judiciary. We will work out the modalities in parliament."

Sharif avoided mentioning the former chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who remains under house arrest and whose fate has become a sensitive point in negotiations.

The show of unity is part of a complicated power game to determine the shape of the next government. Their main obstacle is Musharraf.

The US is striving to keep Musharraf in power. The State Department has publicly urged the opposition to work with the retired general.