PM Sharif in London to confer with party supremo

Some analysts say after the London meeting, PM Sharif can announce early elections

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Accompanied by senior leadership of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is holding an important meeting with party supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in London Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for London through an international airline flight shortly after midnight. He is expected to remain in London for two to three days.

Sources privy to development say with political tensions mounting and ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan on the campaign trail, the authorities are considering to hold early elections.

Shahbaz Sharif and his aides are said to have requested an online conference with party supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, who is based in London. However, the elder Sharif reportedly refused to discuss any substantive matter over an online platform, prompting the London visit of PM Sharif.

Earlier Information Minister, Maryam Aurangzaib made an effort to downplay the urgency and significance of this meeting saying it was a private event. “The leadership will hold discussions with the elder Sharif, and it is an ongoing process”, she maintained.

On its part, ousted prime minister’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is already in campaign mode. It has already constituted a cell to select contesting candidates for electoral constituencies across the nation as part of its preparations for the next general election.

Some analysts say after the London meeting, PM Sharif can announce early elections.

Besides PM Sharif, PML-N leaders visiting London include Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Power Minister Khurram Dastagir, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq.