ISLAMABAD - The PPP leadership has decided not to go for confrontation with PML-N and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would be responding to the demands put forth by Nawaz Sharif in a day or so wherein the former would once again extend the hand of friendship to the latter in an attempt to steer the country out of the prevailing crisis. Sources in PPP informed The Nation that after having the input from President Asif Ali Zardari and some main leaders in the party, the Prime Minister has drafted a reply to Nawaz Sharifs fresh demands and the ultimatum for their fulfilment. It was agreed in the core committee of the party under the head of President Asif Ali Zardari that in the reply it would be stated that the PPP-led coalition government was already working on the the same lines which were mentioned in the demands put forth by Nawaz Sharif. The sources further said that it was also decided that the reply from the Prime Minister would also carry the distaste on the authoritative tone of Nawaz and the ultimatum given by him for the fulfilment of certain demands and he would be realized that in democracy things are debated and not imposed on political players. The sources in PPP further said that the tone and tenor of Nawaz was not well taken by the party leadership especially the way he had attempted to belittle the PPP-led government by terming it incapacitated. But in the larger interest of the democracy and on the instructions of PPP Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari the party would not leave the path of reconciliatory politics, the sources added. Zardari had also directed the PPP Punjab Chapter leaders not to give provocative statements and barred them from talking about the separation from the Punjab government as according to him such a move on part of the PPP Punjab would destabilize the PML-N government which the PPP leadership did not want to happen as part of their policy of reconciliatory politics. Senior party leaders on condition of anonymity informed that it was not the first time that the PPP Punjab had requested Zardari to allow them to quit Punjab government owing to the indifference of their senior coalition partner. Meanwhile, the looming January 10 ultimatum for Prime Minister Gilani to respond to PML-Ns 9-point agenda has heightened tension between PPP, PML-N that might force them to trample the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in the latest power struggle in Punjab. Both the PPP and PML-N, who had pledged through the 36-point Charter of Democracy they had signed in London in 2006 to strengthen democracy in the country, are on the verge of poling apart in the Punjab government in event of Prime Ministers failure in meeting the deadline. PPP sources privy to these developments sounded upbeat that Prime Minister secretariat was busy in giving final touches to a 6-7 pages response to the proposed agenda of the PML-N, the notion dismissed by the PML-N spokesman saying he was not aware of any such development. The PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif during his press conference on January 4 had threatened to expel the PPP from the Punjab government in the event of Prime Ministers failure to respond to his partys nine-point agenda within the given timeframe. Interestingly, both the parties had pledged through the Charter of Democracy that none of them would obstruct the process of forming their governments where either of them had majority, and would not support the past practice of floor crossing at all. In his recent interview with The Nation, Nawaz had called for respecting peoples mandate saying he had an understanding with the late PPP Quaid Benazir Bhutto that whosoever would score larger number of seats in the Parliament shall form the government whether in the National Assembly or in the provinces. The two players to a greater degree followed the agreed code after the general elections 2008 and even had mutually made seat adjustments in most of the bye-elections held on the vacant NA seats since then. Both sides seemed non-committal when this scribe sought their comments over the fast evolving political developments with regard to the fate of PML-N-led coalition government in Punjab where PPP is a major ruling ally. Its premature to comment on a situation which has not unfolded so far. But hypothetical speaking PPP would not deviate from the Charter of Democracy and would devise its political strategy in a situation when PML-N expels our ministers, PPP Central Information Secretary and MNA Fouzia Wahab told The Nation. She responded with a counter-question about the PML-Ns potential move to continue its government with the help of PML-Q forward block headed by Atta Manika. How would PML-N justify especially when it would need support of the forward block to make up a simple majority to rule in the Punjab, she asked. Nevertheless, the PML-N spokesman responded in a different manner saying it was the PPP, which had betrayed the PML-N and imposed its governor rule in Punjab some time ago, and had tried its best to form its government by offering ministries and other privileges to the members of the so-called forward block of the PML-Q in the Punjab Assembly. He clarified that the 47-member forward block was unconditionally supporting the PML-N government on the plea that they do not agree to their partys high command to form a PPP-led government in the province. Now for almost three years, members of the said group had neither demanded any ministerial portfolio, jobs nor development funds from the PML-N in return of their support, the PML-N spokesman said, adding since they are majority in number, therefore, they have chosen their own parliamentary leader in the Provincial Assembly. Monitoring Desk adds: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday held talks via telephone with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain and ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali to take them into confidence in the wake of PML-N deadline to the government. The Prime Minister extended his gratitude to MQM Chief after governments main coalition party decided to rejoin treasury benches in parliament. During the conversation between the two leaders, Altaf said that his party would continue its cooperation for strengthening of democracy and countrys stability. The PM assured Altaf that MQM reservations would be removed. According to sources, PM Gilani will also consult PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif and will discuss the deadline given the N-league.