ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, once again, reiterated to hammer out minor irritants in smooth sailing of PPP-PML(N) alliance in Punjab though negotiations. Sources close to Pakistan Peoples Party informed that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had a telephonic conversation with Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday and host of issues including the working relationship of both the parties in running the Punjab Government came under discussion. The sources have further informed that Prime Minister Gilani also have latest update from Punjab Chief Minister on British national kid Sahils kidnapping and the efforts so far made by the Punjab Government for his recovery. Sahil, having British nationality, was kidnapped from Jhelum a couple of days back and the matter was taken up with Government of Pakistan by the UK Government. The sources in PPP informed that Premier Gilani had passed on the concerns being raised by the Parliamentary Board of PPP Punjab chapter with him in a meeting held in Lahore the other day and reportedly the CM had assured the Premier that he would look into the issues and take appropriate measures to redress it. Both the leaders also discussed the upcoming local bodies elections in the province and it was decided that a detailed meeting on the issue would be held in near future in which both parties would come up with their proposals and suggestions. Shahbaz Sharif, once again, reiterated his commitment to take the PPP along in Punjab Government and assured the PM that his party would fully implement the terms and conditions of the PPP-PML(N) alliance in the province. Our staff reporter from Lahore adds: Prime Minister Gilani also discussed the contentious issue of much-awaited expansion in the provincial cabinet. According to the PPP sources, Gilani told Shahbaz of numerous complaints the PPP members of the Punjab Assembly had against the provincial government, especially on the issue of jobs quota for PPP in accordance with 40-60 power-sharing formula. He also took up the issue of alleged step-motherly treatment being meted out to the PPP ministers in the Punjab Cabinet by different functionaries of the provincial government. The two leaders also reportedly discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the province in the context of forthcoming by-elections in three provincial constituencies. The Punjab Chief Minister reportedly assured the Prime Minister that all genuine grievances of the PPP parliamentarians would be addressed. On Saturday, PM Gilani chaired a meeting of PPP ministers, MPAs and partys Punjab organisation at the State Guest House, in which they expressed their strong reservations vis-a-vis the Punjab government, and some even suggested the PM that the PPP should bid farewell to the provincial coalition and sit on Opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly. Gilani, on the other hand, advised them to exercise utmost restraint and try to coexist with the PML-N even in the worst circumstances because the country could not afford political confrontation at the moment. The sources informed that it was in this context that PM Gilani telephoned CM Shahbaz to convey the resentment of his party over non-cooperative attitude of the provincial authorities. It is pertinent to note that Gilani and Shahbaz have met many a times in the past to sort out coalition matters but to no avail. Frequent telephonic contacts between the two leaders have also failed to yield any positive results. This is evident from the fact that complaints of PPP ministers and office-bearers of partys Punjab and local organisations against their coalition partner have increased manifold. Agencies add: Responding to the concerns expressed by the PM, the CM said he will soon meet PPP Senior Minister Raja Riaz in this regard, assuring all issues will be resolved. The CM further said that there is no question of giving quota and that merit policy will be implemented strictly. He said PPP ministers and members can approach him if any of their work has not been done on merit. Their complaints and concerns will be addressed, Shahbaz added. Gilani and Shahbaz also agreed to strengthen their mutual alliance and to resolve the problems through dialogue. Both leaders reiterated to fortify their mutual alliance and resolve the issues through dialogue.