The month of March is getting unusually warmer this year, but the political atmosphere in the federal capital is sizzling. Old political foes have become friends and a series of meetings of political parties’ leadership took place on Wednesday as PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari accepted an invitation of PDM Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman to participate in the long march.
Former president Zardari and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with Maulana Fazal.
Earlier, a delegation led by Maulana Fazal and Shehbaz Sharif met leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in an attempt to complete the number of parliamentarians required for success of the no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Fazal, after the meeting, told media that they were satisfied with talks held with the government allies. The MQM delegation comprised Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Amir Khan and Aminul Haq.
The MQM leaders told the delegation of opposition that they would respond after taking up issue with party’s Rabta Committee.
When asked as to what causing delay in reaching agreement with the government allies, Shehbaz said it was better to ask the same question from them (government allies).
Zardari reached residence of Fazal and discussed with him issues relating to long march and no-confidence move. Fazal later said that he wanted to visit Asif Zardari. “But I am thankful that Zardari came to him.”
Fazal said that Zardari had already accepted the invitation.
Later, talking to newsmen after meeting with Shehbaz, he ruled out cancellation of long march. “Keep this question to yourself,” he advised reporters.
Shehbaz said the opposition leaders desired success of the OIC session of Foreign Minister and expressed complete solidarity with the participants.
Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq accompanied the PMLN president during the meeting.
