THAT the PPP and the PML(N) have agreed to retain the previous coalition arrangement in the Punjab government, and also to revive the committee comprising members of the two parties to improve coordination between them, is welcome. The decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to respect each other's mandate and work together to strengthen democratic institutions and effectively deal with the internal and external threats facing the country. The decision comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with serious security challenges that can best be met by devising a comprehensive strategy in consultation with political parties across the divide. The need for national reconciliation has never been felt so strongly in the past as now. Mian Nawaz Sharif has a point in saying that the government should immediately convene a national conference to discuss the deepening crises in the two western provinces. There is no disputing his observation that growing insurgencies in Balochistan and Malakand Division were the result of repressive policies of General Musharraf whom the PML(N) intends to indict for the gruesome murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti and other innocent citizens. Balochistan awaits a healing touch, that could be administered provided the two mainstream parties jointly endeavour to address the genuine grievances of the Baloch who have failed to find any respite in the last 14 months of the democratic rule. Mr Gilani and Mian Shahbaz did well by reaffirming their resolve to achieve the common objective of making Pakistan a peaceful and progressive nation by establishing the rule of law and fulfilling their commitment to evolve a system of governance that envisages the resolution of people's problems. Their decision to take all political parties on board in the decision-making process deserves appreciation. Much is left to be desired in the decision of Mian Shahbaz not to change his mind about inducting the Forward Bloc members in the provincial cabinet in return for their 'services' during the period when he had been deposed. The PML(N) leadership could have done well by positively responding to the PM's call for rejoining the federal government, but since the Punjab CM has linked it with the repeal of the 17th Amendment and implementation of the Charter of Democracy, the ball is now in the PPP's court. But then it must not abdicate its responsibility for making coordinated efforts with the PML(N) to strengthen democracy and safeguard sovereignty.