RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari, contrary to expectations, has yet to return Pakistan after two weeks of the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case.

Zardari left for Dubai on July 8, 2017 for medical purposes and sources close to him revealed that he was suffering from mental and physical weakness and his blood and sugar levels were not normal.

After being out of country for 35 days, there is no indication of when he is expected to return, sources told. He recently summoned Sindh Chief Minister to Dubai for policy discussions on matters relating to Sindh but has not yet issued any statement on Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification.

PPP spokesperson Senator Farhuttalha Babar on Friday told Business Recorder that Zardari was in Dubai for medical check up. When asked about his return date, he said that Zardari has been shuttling between Dubai and Pakistan.

While dispelling the impression that all the [decision-making] powers rest with Zardari, Babar said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is here and he takes decisions in consultation with senior party leaders. He said that Bilawal Bhutto is also in constant contact with Zardari and consults him, if he feels it necessary, before taking any decision on any issue.

“There is a decision making process in the party. The office bearers of the party are present here. The members of Central Executive Committee of the party take collective decision in the party under chairmanship of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,” he added.