Zardari, Shehbaz agree to woo PTI's disgruntled allies

PML-N, PPP leaders discuss incumbent government's future

ISLAMABAD: Opposition sources have claimed that a fresh meeting between former president Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif has made unusual progress and the two leaders have agreed that the government has become so weak in the very beginning because of its incompetence that it can be toppled.

Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif approached the Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman at his seat in the National Assembly during a joint walkout by the opposition on Monday, shook his hand with warmth and they spoke to each other in whispers for some time. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khursheed Shah, Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah and other leaders of both parties were also present. They all proceeded to opposition lobby together.

According to the sources, a detailed meeting of Zardari and Shehbaz took place in the opposition lobby. They claimed that the meeting did not take place by chance but it was a formal discussion whose procedure had been agreed in advance.

The sources said that Zardari had told Shehbaz that if the united opposition wanted to dislodge Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, he is agreeable to the idea. The leaders also discussed the strained relations among the government’s allies, including the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and two members of the National Assembly from the tribal areas and their significance in the number game. They agreed that the government had disappointed its own allies in two months and there was no harm in talking to the disgruntled coalition partners.

According to sources, the two leaders also agreed to adopt a joint strategy regarding the National Accountability Bureau’s cases and arrests of opposition leaders. Zardari agreed to strengthen Shehbaz’s hands at the opposition leader, while the latter thanked him, Bilawal and the PPP for their support for his appointment as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

PPP sources said Zardari told Shehbaz that he was not afraid of his much talked about arrest and the party had prepared a strategy for such a situation. He said the party would fight a legal and political battle under the leadership of Bilawal and give the government a tough time in coordination with the rest of the opposition.

When Zardari arrived at Parliament House, he frankly and aggressively replied to the questions of journalists. His body language showed he was content with his interaction. When a journalist asked him about meeting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on the current situation, he replied, “We shall do whatever you suggest.” The journalist said, ‘You are the king of reconciliation.” Zardari said, “OK, I accept it if you say so.”

Bilawal also spoke briefly, saying the PPP had always waged a struggle against dictators.