PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has ruled out a possibility of a one-on-one meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in any circumstance, belying Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani’s earlier statement that the two leaders were likely to meet soon.
During an informal consultative meeting with PML-N Sindh leaders Salim Zia and Nihal Hashmi at Riaiwind on Sunday, Nawaz said a meeting with Zardari was out of question. Political circles remained abuzz with Raisani’s claims and reports that both leaders were being convinced by strong lobbyists in the PML-N and PPP to get united to foil expected adventure being engineered by a third force.
Chances of the meeting looked brighter after Raisani’s confirmation, but Nawaz’s statement silenced the rumour mills for good. PML-N Secretary Information Mushahidullah Khan told Pakistan Today that it could not happen as ground had not been ploughed by any side.
However, he said if Zardari agreed to early elections, a meeting could be planned. “The PML-N has only one agenda which is nothing other than snap polls and Nawaz can meet Zardari only on this option,” he added. PML-N Deputy Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal also rejected the news. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif took stock of issues concerning the party’s Sindh chapter election. He also discussed the leader’s reservations over party slots. The meeting finalised that Nawaz would reach Karachi today (Monday). According to a press release, PML-N president Nawaz Sharif dissolved all wings in cantonment boards across the country and announced to hold fresh elections soon. The decision would be applied to both Rawalpindi Cantonment Board President Farooq Khatak and General Secretary Muhammad Shabir.
Nawaz says no possibility of meeting with Zardari
