LAHORE: Guests at wedding reception of former Chief Minister, Punjab, Najam Sethi and Jugnu Mohsin’s daughter Meera at the FCC Park Saturday attended by elite coming from various cities of the country, turned into rendezvous for political discussion hovering around former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s perilous ailment and contours around his proceeding abroad for treatment.
The couple Meera and Bilal son of Nigar Ahmad and Tariq Siddiqi tied their knot a couple of days back in the United States. Since the verdict of Lahore High Court was pronounced just before the commencement of the reception, the subject of discussion couldn’t become any other topic by the guests then “setback” to the PTI and its government in the wake of the judgement.
It is correctly believed that Lahore like many Punjab areas belongs to Nawaz Sharif and somewhat upbeat Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwarts outnumbered with their presence all other parties in the one-dish reception where kulfi became main attraction for the guests besides delicious chicken-korma and Lahori pulaou.
Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry was conspicuous with his presence on behalf of the PTI and government who tried to justify government’s line of action towards Nawaz Sharif episode. He was critical of the high court judgement that had knocked down Imran Khan and PTI narrative. He had no substantial argument for establishing government’s line of action other than traditional rhetoric and foul mouthing. Fawad is struggling to reclaim his portfolio in the federal cabinet and couldn’t afford to be more “realistic.”
Former Army Chief General Jehnagir Karamat, along with his wife, was seen after long time in a such public gathering. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Chief Minister, Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who had come with federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema of the PML-Q received laurel from every corner of the function for Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and his position in Nawaz Sharif affairs.
Former Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, former federal ministers Mian Khurshid Mahmoud Kasuri, Nasreen Kasuri, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Pervez Rashid, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Anusha Rehman Ahmad Khan, Tehmina Daultana, Attiya Inayatullah, Makhdoom Javaid Hashmi, Khalid Ranjha, former high commissioner to India Ambassador Shahid Malik, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), PTCL Syed Mazhar Hussain distinguished journalists Arif Nizami, Hafeez ullah Niazi, Muneeb Farooq, Maihmal Sarfraz, Rashid Rehman, Imtiaz Alam and diplomats belonging to various countries were among the distinguished guests.
The FCC Park was full to the capacity and co-host Najam Sethi was avoiding political discussion. He and Jugnu received the guests but Najam opted to stay most of the time behind the bride and bride-groom on stage as the guests wanted to ascertain through his sparrow (Chirria) what would happen now (hun kieh hoiga). Lahore’s wedding functions don’t cause trouble to guests unlike other cities as timings are observed here strictly courtesy Shahbaz Sharif’s introduced “rules” for the same, way back in his second stint in office.