From Cherry Ferguson
LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday met his elder brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the British capital, with “big decisions” reportedly on the cards.
The Prime Minister, along with his delegation, touched down in London at Gatwick Airport’s south terminal early Wednesday morning. His flight took off from Islamabad around 12:00am last night.
Some photos of their maiden meeting — after Shehbaz became the prime minister last month — were released Wednesday but no formal statement was issued as to what was discussed.
According to details, Nawaz has to consult the party leadership over some important issues he has reservations over and the PML-N is expected to make a “big decision”, which is why he rejected the proposal to have an online meeting.
A day earlier, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar had said the meeting in London was of critical importance as big decisions about the economy were to be made. He ruled out the idea of early elections and said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already said that elections before October were not possible. The party sources further said that during the meeting with Nawaz and former finance minister Ishaq Dar, they would discuss a strategy on the prices of petroleum products.
The discussion holds particular importance as a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to begin talks with Pakistani officials on May 18 in Doha.
Moreover, decisions regarding power-sharing, the next general elections, and the Punjab cabinet will also be taken during the meeting.
Last month, the PML-N supremo had met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — a key ally in the ruling coalition — in London to discuss ways forward after a “constitutional victory for democracy, the rule of law and supremacy of parliament”. The two leaders agreed to work closely to “repair the rot across the board,” read a joint statement.
