Consultative meeting: PML-N leaders push for meeting Saudi demand

They endorse the opposition call for an APC to forge political consensus on troop dispatch

ISLAMABAD:

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ministers have stressed that the government should provide Saudi Arabia all the necessary military assistance. At the same time they have endorsed the idea of opposition parties to call an All Parties Conference (APC) to forge political consensus on the issue, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

The lawmakers expressed their views during the party’s high-level consultative meeting, led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who sought the party’s input on the Saudi demand, at the PM House Wednesday evening.

The sources added that the government delegation, which has come back from the kingdom, will meet the premier on Thursday (today) to inform him about the Saudi’s needs.

They also said PM Nawaz, keeping in view the timing for Riyadh’s needs, would call the APC where he would announce the government’s decision.

The meeting, the sources said, has taken up many important issues including the outcomes of the formation of the Judicial Commission (JC) to probe rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting about the ongoing talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

While talking to the participants, according to the official statement, the prime minister said the government is fully focused on resolving issues of national importance.

PM Nawaz noted that the government of PML-N is utilising all the resources to make Pakistan a stronger and prosperous country, adding, “Our intentions are noble and resolve is firm.”

The premier asked his party leaders, particularly the ministers, to play their role in providing maximum relief to the people.

He said record development has always taken place during the tenures of the PML-N and this process is still going on, adding that the government is taking all necessary steps to tackle energy crisis during its tenure.

Among the attendees of the meeting were Raja Zafar ul Haq, Pervaiz Rashid, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2015.