PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that his party lawmakers were unlikely to be part of newly-elected PM Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet which is yet to be announced.

"I don't think we are taking any ministries," Zardari told journalists outside the National Assembly earlier today.

"We want to give a chance to our friends," Zardari added, referring to the government's allies including those like the MQM-P and BAP who quit the then ruling PTI coalition to join them on the opposition benches.

However, sources claim that PM Shehbaz is desirous of having PPP lawmakers as part of his cabinet despite the party infomring the premier that they would rather support the government from the outside.

During an informal chat with journalists on the same day (Saturday), the former president remained tight-lipped when asked whether he would become the president.

The veteran politician laughed when it was suggested that could be a judicious political move on part of the PPP to opt for constitutional positions, leaving PM Shehbaz and his cabinet to deal with the the fallout over the myriad of issues ranging from inflation to unemployment.

Sources within the PPP have suggested that the party is interested in constitutional offices rather than cabinet portfolios.