ISLAMABAD / KARACHI:
In between rising tensions between the military and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain have pushed for unity in Pakistan during a phone conversation on Thursday, according to sources.
Zardari faced widespread criticism after his recent tirade against the security establishment. Zardari had accused the establishment of tarnishing his image, threatening to bring the country to a standstill if the ‘character assassination’ didn’t stop.
In reaction to the outburst, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had cancelled a scheduled meeting with the PPP leadership.
According to a press release, Zardari and Altaf discussed the country’s current political scenario, deciding upon Pakistan ‘needing harmony and unity now more than ever’.
However, there was no mention of Altaf endorsing Zardari’s speech against the military.
Former government allies, the two leaders emphasised that the people of urban and rural areas should live in harmony.
“Those who live and die in Sindh – both the people of the rural and the urban areas – should set aside their differences and live like brothers.”