Western allies and Pakistan's neighbours, concerned about instability in a nuclear-armed state already reeling from suicide bombings by al Qaeda-inspired militants, fear more political upheaval in the country in case of confrontation between the president and new government.
TEAR GAS
Lawyers launched a week of protests on Sunday to press for the restoration of the judges. Police fired tear gas at protesters near the home of former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry where he has been detained since November.
It was a year ago on Sunday that Musharraf first suspended Chaudhry, touching off protests by lawyers and the opposition.
Sharif, who Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup, has been calling for the unpopular president to step down, and on Sunday said Musharraf should accept the people's verdict "against dictatorship".
Zardari was more conciliatory, saying he did not believe in "personal agendas".
Musharraf has advised a new government to focus on fighting terrorism and sustaining economic growth rather than politics.
Musharraf said last week it would be a week or two more before the new National Assembly is convened but Sharif and Zardari called for the session to be called immediately.
While the parties agreed on a coalition, questions have arisen in Bhutto's party over its candidate for prime minister.
Zardari's deputy chairman and Bhutto's close aide, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, has been regarded as the likely choice for the job but a delay in nominating him has led to doubts.
Ahmed Mukhtar, a former commerce minister in Bhutto's cabinet, has emerged as another contender, since Zardari himself is ineligible as he does not hold a seat in the assembly.
Speaking to private television channels, Fahim mentioned the possibility of quitting the party if he were not nominated, adding he did not want party rifts.
