Fazl asks Zardari to meet Nawaz

JUI chief calls on PPP leader in London

LONDON: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan and co-chair of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for several hours and discussed Pakistan’s volatile political situation, credible sources have confirmed.

The meeting was one-on-one and no one else from either sides was allowed in the meeting, credible sources within the PPP and JUI-UK have told this correspondent. The meeting took place in an apartment on Park Lane where Asif Ali Zardari stays when he is not staying in hotels around Marble arch. The meeting took place in secrecy and every effort was made to ensure that media or anyone else is not made aware of the important development. It can be confirmed that Maulana Rehman asked Asif Ali Zardari to meet the PM and openly discuss all issues, including PPP’s serious grievances with the federal government. Both sides have confirmed to Geo News that the meeting took place late on Sunday night and continued till early hours of Monday.

Speaking to this correspondent, a JUI spokesman said that Maulana Rehman was in the UK to attend three events arranged by JUI in UK on the 100th anniversary of Jamiat Ulema Hind.

“It’s a big occasion for us as we have reached a milestone and the main purpose of Maualana’s visit is to meet his colleagues. We cannot confirm or deny whether any meeting took place. Maulana Fazlur Rehman will be attending an event in Wakefield on Tuesday and he is currently in Birmingham.”

A PPP source on condition of anonymity said that the meeting was arranged by mutual friends of Maulana Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari. He said that the two sides discussed Pakistan’s political situation, especially Panama Leaks. He said that Maulana Rehman told the former Pakistan president that he should meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and develop a consensus on the issues that currently afflict Pakistan. The PPP source said that Maulana Rehman told Zardari that it was essential that Pakistan authorities should carry forward the accountability agenda but it shouldn’t target a few individuals but should be broad and cover all kinds of corruption. Maulana said that the judicial commission must also cover those whose names have been found in Panama papers, secret offshore companies and those who either got their loans written off or defaulted using political muscle. The PPP source said Asif Ali Zardari said that the PPP has a long tradition of making sacrifices for democracy and will continue to support democratic forces.

Asif Ali Zardari reportedly told Maulana Rehman that the PPP will not become part of any plot that’s aimed at derailing democracy and strengthening those who have always looked for short cuts to come into power. The PPP source said that no decision has yet been taken about a meeting between Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz sharif but its highly likely that the two will meet.

PM Sharif is in London for medical check ups a month after he was treated at a private clinic. PM has said that he is in London for 5 days for the “review” of his medical check ups. Currently, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz sharif are staying at 5 minutes walking distance. Nawaz Sharif is staying with his son Hasan Nawaz Sharif while Asif Ali Zardari has two places to stay: an apartment on Park Lane and Churhcill Hotel, both at around 5 minutes distance from Hasan Nawaz’s flat. Currently, PPP legislators Sharjeel Memon, Naweed Qamar, Fida hussain, Roshan Junejo, Tariq Arain, and Dr Sehrab Serki are in London.

Another JUI source said that the Maulana Rehman met Asif Ali Zardari and pleaded on both sides to remove misunderstandings, if any, through talks. The source said that Maulana told Asif Ali Zardari openly that some people in his party were being used to pressurise the elected government of PML-N and while PPP has every right to ask for PM Sharif’s accountability it shouldn’t become a pawn in the hands of those who want short cut to power.