Asif Zardari to attend APC via video link

Former president and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari would attend the all party conference (APC), being held on September 20 (Sunday), via video link, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari confirmed via twitter.

"President Asif Ali Zardari will join opposition APC 20th September via video link inshAllah," Bilawal tweeted.

On September 18 , it was reported that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif would also attend the upcoming APC via video link, senior party leaders confirmed after PPP disclosed on his social media handle that he had called the PML-N founder to invite him to virtually attend the upcoming opposition parties’ confab.

Bilawal said on his Twitter handle that he had spoken to Nawaz to inquire after his health. The Bhutto dynasty scion said that he had invited Sharif to virtually attend the moot to be hosted by the PPP on September 20.

This was quickly responded to by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who appreciated Bilawal for his gesture.

Senior party leader Senator Pervaiz Rashid told The Express Tribune that Sharif accepted Bilawal’s invitation for attending the APC via video link.

He further stated Maryam would also be part of the PML-N delegation for the APC.

Recently, it was reported that Maryam would not become part of the PML-N delegation. As per the reports, the then PML-N delegation mainly included party President Shehbaz Sharif, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif and Ahsan Iqbal.

Contrary to earlier reports, several party leaders confirmed that Maryam would attend the APC.

A well-placed source within the party revealed it was an understanding within the party that Sharif would attend the APC so Bilawal’s telephone call only provided him with the opportunity formally.

The source revealed that Sharif might not attend the complete session of the APC, but his limited virtual presence would give a message where it’s intended.

The source said that all parties, especially the JUI-F and the PPP, wanted Sharif’s presence in the moot.

The source added that in view of the previous debacle, there were concerns about Shehbaz’s willingness to run any sort of movement against the government, adding that Sharif himself even last time around wanted his party to support Maulana Fazl’s Azadi March despite disagreeing on the timing of the movement. However, in a bid to ensure that the party stands by its commitment this time, both Maryam and Sharif were taking the lead in the matter.