Only a govt of national consensus can solve problems: Zardari

Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) With just five days to go for the crucial Presidential election, Asif Ali Zardari, the front runner for the post and Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.) candidate has said he believes that a government of "national consensus" is the only solution to the problems faced by the country.

"A government of national consensus is the need of the hour," Zardari whose party parted company with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said.

In significant remarks in the run up to the elections, Zardari said that after his election his party would work for what he called "political and national unity".

Appearing confident, Zardari said at a chance meeting with reporters at the Prime Minister's house that the P.P.P. government would handle economic, political and security challenges.

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going," media reports quoted him as saying.

Zardari who is the co-Chairman of the P.P.P. stressed on the need to strengthen the federal system in Pakistan saying this was possible "when we create national unity".

On his party's attitude to the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) P.M.L.(N) government in Punjab, he said his party would formulate a strategy to form governments of national consensus in the centre and the provinces.

"It's a fleeting moment and the politicians must seize the opportunity to save the nation and the federation," he declared.

Terming the situation in Balochistan and N.W.F.P. as "alarming", Zardari said "It's not an easy task but it's our responsibility to steer the country out of all crises."

On his priorities on winning the presidential election, he said it would be "Poverty alleviation, poverty alleviation and poverty alleviation."