MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: Chairman Bahria Town Malik Riaz met ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence on Thursday and discussed various matters of mutual interest besides the country’s current political situation arising out after Nawaz’s ouster, sources said.

Malik Riaz enquired about the health of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and prayed for her early recovery. During the meeting which lasted for about two hours, various issues ranging from the Panama Papers case to NAB references against the Sharif family were discussed, the sources said.

After the meeting, there are speculations that the Sharif family is seeking to strike a deal with stakeholders in the current political scenario. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif joined the meeting during which various political matters were discussed, the sources added.

The sources claim that the Sharif brothers have sought Malik Riaz’s help to bridge the gulf created between the PPP and the PML-N. In this regard, the sources claim that Malik Riaz would arrange a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari in London. It may be added that Malik Riaz has very cordial relations with Asif Ali Zardari.

The meeting came three days after Nawaz Sharif arrived in Pakistan from London and appeared before an accountability court. He later vowed to fight the allegations of corruption.

There are speculations that Nawaz Sharif is proceeding to London anytime soon after it emerged that his wife Kulsoom Nawaz was again admitted to hospital. The medical condition of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz deteriorated on Tuesday evening. The sources informed that Kulsoom was admitted to the emergency unit of Princess Grace Hospital in London.

Her daughter, Maryam Nawaz, who is currently with her in London, tweeted regarding her mother’s health and requested for prayers.

On the other hand, the accountability court has set October 2 as the date of next hearing in NAB reference against Nawaz Sharif when it will indict the ousted premier.

Moreover, Nawaz in a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif discussed various pivotal matters and exchanged views on the party leadership’s issue.

On the other hand, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that conspiracies couldn’t remove real political forces from the scene.

“Those who had been demanding early election were shocked by the return of former Nawaz Sharif from London,” he said.

“Imran Khan had thought that Nawaz Sharif wouldn’t return. The elections will be held in 2018 and the PML-N’s performance will be visible to everyone.”