The president of Pakistan has called the National Assembly to meet next week, summoning the parties that beat his allies in last month's parliamentary elections.

Asif Ali Zardari, right, shakes hands with former PM Nawaz Sharif during a press conference in Bhurban near Islamabad, Sunday, 09 March 2008

President Pervez Musharraf's call to convene parliament on March 17 will put him face-to-face with members of the country's future coalition government.

The Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) announced a deal to govern the country together on Sunday.
 
Pakistan People's Party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League say they plan to reinstate senior judges whom Mr. Musharraf fired last year.  The politicians say they will soon pass legislation to reinstate the judges who challenged the legality of Mr. Musharraf's re-election as president while he was still army chief.

The Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League do not hold a majority in parliament, which will limit their ability to impeach the president.  However, a smaller party, the Awami Nationalist Party, has decided to join their coalition, which could boost the opposition's voting power in parliament.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.