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ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The PML like-minded group in its talks with the PML-N on Thursday stuck to the demand of a minimum 11% quota of seats in the national and provincial assemblies as the two sides moved closer to making an electoral alliance for the next general elections.

The central leaders of two sides on Thursday held a meeting at the Punjab House in Islamabad to discuss details of electoral alliance for the next general elections and it is expected that an agreement would be reached in the first week of next month.

“There is no hurdle from the PML-N to our demand of 11% seats in the National Assembly and three provincial assemblies,” PML like-minded leader Humayun Akhtar Khan told newsmen after the meeting.

Humayun Akhtar Khan accompanied by Salim Saifullah Khan and Kashmala Tariq met Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Senator Ishaq Dar.

The like-minded group has demanded 11% quota of seats in the National Assembly, which makes 30 seats, and similar quota in the Punjab, KPK and Sindh assemblies too. In Karachi, the Like-minded group on Thursday urged the PPP government to keep its word on the seat adjustment promise for the Senate elections from Sindh.

A spokesman for the group, Syed Amir Abidi, contradicted the reports of their candidates’ withdrawal. He recalled that in the previous Senate elections, the government had asked Arbab Ghulam Rahim to cooperate in the Senate elections in line with the reconciliation policy of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Arbab Ghulam Rahim at that time cooperated with the government and did not field the Like-minded group’s candidates to contest Senate elections. He said this time the group has fielded its candidates and urged the government to fulfil its promise by making seat adjustment on one seat with the group.

He said those who are creating hurdles in the seat adjustment are trying to sabotage the reconciliation policy of President Zardari. He said if seat adjustments were not made then his party would contest the election.

MQM Rabita committee member Raza Haroon was asked how four candidates of MQM would get elected unopposed if the PML-LM refused to withdraw its candidates. Raza said it was a matter of concern and hoped that the matter would be resolved amicably.

Adviser to Sindh CM for special education while talking to The News on Thursday said Arbab Rahim is wanted in the murder case of Ms Benazir Bhutto and he will not come to Pakistan. He said the like-minded group has no standing.