PML [N] Chief Nawaz Sharif in Dubai on private Visit
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): Pakistan's ex-Prime Minister and the head of PML [N] Mian Nawaz Sharif left London for Dubai at 11 am (3 pm PST) by Emirates Airlines on Friday. His wife Kulsoom Nawaz is accompanying him.

The ex-Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif was at the London Gatwick Airport to see them off.

The spokesman of Nawaz Sharif, Joint Secretary PML [N], Nadir Ch said that Mian Nawaz Sharif is on a private visit to Dubai.

He categorically denied the report of a private news channel that the former prime minister was visiting Dubai for the extension of his visa.

He would be back by July 13, the spokesman said.

Earlier, Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood, a former state minister and Rahimyar Khan Nazim former [Mayor] met Nawaz Sharif, sources said.

According to sources, Ahmed Mahmood also hinted at his joining the PML-N again during the meeting.

The two leaders discussed the political scenario in Pakistan and exchanged views on the challenges faced by the country.

Mahmood, who joined the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) after October 12, 1999 could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Nawaz Sharif reached Dubai from London on Friday night, a private TV channel reported.

"Nawaz will apply for resident visa for London from Dubai as his six months’ visa for staying in London had been expired", the channel alleged.

Now chances of meeting between opposition leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Nawaz Sharif in London have also been diminished, the TV maintained.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters at the Dubai International Airport, Nawaz Sharif said that talks would be held with the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal but that no date had been finalised yet.

JI Leader Off to UK

Meanwhile, a report from Lahore says that Secretary-General Jama’at-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan has left for London to meet Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif, said a JI press release.

Munawar will meet the two former premiers as Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal President Qazi Hussain Ahmed’s special envoy.

During the meetings, the JI secretary general will discuss the possibilities of MMA’s cooperation with the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and other component parties of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy.

Apart from attending the annual conference of UK Islamic Mission, Munawar will address Muslim community gatherings and overseas Pakistanis during his ten-day stay in the United Kingdom.●