Zardari to attend Aseefa’s graduation, meet Altaf

LONDON: Former president of Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chair Asif Ali Zardari is likely to meet Altaf Hussain during his 3-week stay in London.
Asif Ali Zardari arrived in London on Tuesday evening. He was received at the Heathrow Airport by Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner Imran Mirza and former high commissioner and PPP veteran Wajid Shamsul Hasan. Former president Zardari was provided official protocol by Pakistan High Commission.
Imran Mirza and Wajid Shamsul Hasan drove in the same car with him. Zardari is joined in London by his children Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PPP Chairman, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
A PPP source in London told The News that former president Zardari would attend Aseefa’s graduation ceremony at the Oxford University tomorrow (Saturday). Aseefa will be joined at the ceremony by her father and siblings. Aseefa has tweeted recently: “Passed my undergrad degree very happy! Inshallah 1day every child will have access to #education in #Pakistan as it’s a right not a privilege.”
Dr Asim Hussain is present with Asif Ali Zardari and looking after his medical appointments and treatments. Zardari has not met anyone else after his arrival but will soon begin holding consultations and meetings.
The source said that former president Zardari would meet Altaf Hussain but first he had to get his medical tests done. “His appointments with his doctors have been booked in advance. He is attending these appointments as well as relaxing with his children.”
Former interior minister Rehman Malik also arrived in London shortly after Asif Ali Zardari landed here. When approached for comment, Rehman Malik didn’t attend the phone but it’s believed that he will get the meeting set with the MQM chief.
Malik is already in touch with the MQM about this meeting. PPP had expressed solidarity with MQM when its leader Altaf Hussain was arrested by Scotland Yard earlier this month and then released on bail.
Dr Asim Hussain and Wajid Shamsul Hasan had received Altaf Hussain at the MQM’s international secretariat after he was released from the police station two weeks ago.