The Punjab government again refused to formally welcome President Asif Ali Zardari on his arrival here on Friday. No official protocol was given to him and none of the provincial ministers or any high level officials were deputed to formally welcome the president on his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. However, Punjab Governor Sardar Lateef Khosa, leader of the opposition in Punjab Assembly, Raja Riaz Ahmad, MPAs of Pakistan Peoples Party and party office bearers extended a warm welcome to the president. The Punjab government had refused to give protocol to President Zardari when he paid his maiden visit to the Punjab capital. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been criticizing President Zardari publicly, holding him responsible for all ills and evils prevailing in the country. Shahbaz had repeatedly said that he would neither welcome the president in Punjab nor would he extend him protocol.
