Political bigwigs celebrate Eid away from home
Sharifs, Zardaris all to spend Eid in London, Imran may also fly to UK
Sharifs, Zardaris all to spend Eid in London, Imran may also fly to UK. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
Despite their heart-warming claims of keeping problems of the public close to their hearts, leaders of most top political parties will be celebrating Eidul Fitr away from the homeland.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been in London since the last week of May recuperating from an open-heart surgery.
Sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) told The Express Tribune the immediate family members of PM Nawaz have also flown to London for Eid celebrations.
Not since his days in exile during Musharraf era has Nawaz spent Eid in London. Though that is not to say he has spent recent Eids in Pakistan either. Over the past few years, Nawaz has consistently spent the last 10 days of Ramazan away from home; in Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister, however, is scheduled to return to Pakistan immediately after Eid. “God willing, Mian Sahib will be with us immediately after Eid,” Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq told The Express Tribune without providing any specific details.
President Mamnoon Hussain, who visited Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, is scheduled to return home late on Tuesday night, the president’s office said.
Pakistanis celebrate Eid today with rest of Muslim world
Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari and his son Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also travelled to London to celebrate Eid with family including Bakhtawar and Asifa Bhutto Zardari. Sources say they will also attend Asifa’s graduation ceremony scheduled for later this week.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will spend some part of Eid at his Lahore home. But shortly thereafter, he too will be leaving for London to visit his sons.
A PTI source said Imran could travel to London ‘anytime’ during the three days of Eid, but will return to Pakistan immediately after the festivities end.
“He will not stay in London for more than a few days,” a PTI legislator told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq is also in Saudi Arabia at the moment to perform Umrah. He is not expected to return to the country till after Eidul Fitr.
Another constitutional office holder, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, will be celebrating Eid away from home. According to the NA Secretariat, Sadiq travelled to Germany July 4 on the invitation of his German counterpart and is expected to return on July 8.
The political temperature is expected to soar immediately after Eid as all of the political leaders, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, return to the country.
Despite their heart-warming claims of keeping problems of the public close to their hearts, leaders of most top political parties will be celebrating Eidul Fitr away from the homeland.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been in London since the last week of May recuperating from an open-heart surgery.
Sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) told The Express Tribune the immediate family members of PM Nawaz have also flown to London for Eid celebrations.
Not since his days in exile during Musharraf era has Nawaz spent Eid in London. Though that is not to say he has spent recent Eids in Pakistan either. Over the past few years, Nawaz has consistently spent the last 10 days of Ramazan away from home; in Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister, however, is scheduled to return to Pakistan immediately after Eid. “God willing, Mian Sahib will be with us immediately after Eid,” Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq told The Express Tribune without providing any specific details.
President Mamnoon Hussain, who visited Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, is scheduled to return home late on Tuesday night, the president’s office said.
Pakistanis celebrate Eid today with rest of Muslim world
Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari and his son Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also travelled to London to celebrate Eid with family including Bakhtawar and Asifa Bhutto Zardari. Sources say they will also attend Asifa’s graduation ceremony scheduled for later this week.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will spend some part of Eid at his Lahore home. But shortly thereafter, he too will be leaving for London to visit his sons.
A PTI source said Imran could travel to London ‘anytime’ during the three days of Eid, but will return to Pakistan immediately after the festivities end.
“He will not stay in London for more than a few days,” a PTI legislator told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq is also in Saudi Arabia at the moment to perform Umrah. He is not expected to return to the country till after Eidul Fitr.
Another constitutional office holder, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, will be celebrating Eid away from home. According to the NA Secretariat, Sadiq travelled to Germany July 4 on the invitation of his German counterpart and is expected to return on July 8.
The political temperature is expected to soar immediately after Eid as all of the political leaders, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, return to the country.