A meeting between People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and Vice Chairman Amin Fahim ended approximately an hour ago.

Fahim left Zardari House in Islamabad without speaking to the media, but then spoke to GEO News by telephone.

Though Fahim says there are no differences between him and Zardari, it appears both parties have not come to a resolution on all standing issues between them. The talks will likely continue. Fahim, long seen as a complacent yes-man, appears to be playing hardball.

Fahim’s description of the meeting with Zardari was vague. “We ate food, chatted about the political situation, and then I returned,” he told GEO News.

His replies to the anchorwoman’s questions were terse.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that, at the very least, Fahim seeks to maintain his presence within the PPP’s senior leadership. What he’s will to accept and can obtain within those parameters is unclear.

Fahim seems to have accepted Zardari’s desire for the premiership. Fahim said that if Zardari would like to be nominated as prime minister, he, in his capacity as president of the PPP’s parliamentary wing will nominate Zardari.

In other words, Fahim would like to frame Zardari’s premiership, should it become a reality, as a product of his consent and approval–not something imposed on him.

But Fahim also rejected reports that he’ll be nominated as Senate chairman. The Senate chairman is next in line for the presidency, so should Pervez Musharraf vacate the position, Fahim would come in. But both the PPP and PML-N would like to revert the presidency to its nominal status, making it less appealing.

So the question is, what position does Fahim want? Will Fahim accept the position of National Assembly speaker? Or is he looking to be the “interim” prime minister? And if he becomes a placeholder for Zardari, will he dance in concert with Zardari or step on his toes? Fahim also knows that Zardari’s apparent quest for the premiership lies across a hurdle-ridden path. It’s not guaranteed. Zardari has to run in a by-election and it is unclear as to whether he meets the college graduation requirement for joining the National Assembly. The placeholder could become more permanent than thought.