Amidst reports that Washington would prefer a government that would work with Musharraf, who rejected demands for his resignation, Zardari met US Ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson.

He is believed to have discussed with the American envoy the situation arising out of the hung verdict in which neither Pakistan People’s Party of late prime minister Benazir Bhutto with 87 seats or Pakistan Muslim League headed by Nawaz Sharif with 67 seats is in position to form the government on its own. Elections were held for 269 seats.

But in significant remarks that could give an indication of the possible new alliance Zardari has asked the international community, especially the US, to “support us” in building a new era of peace “instead of continuing with the erroneous belief that alliance with a strongman is its best bet to bring stability to Pakistan”.

“The task ahead will not be easy, but the Pakistan People’s Party is preapred to work in good faith with our fellow democratic parties to restore the constitution to its original state, without the distorttions introduced by a dictator’s diktat,” he said in a commentary in “Chicago Tribune”.