Ruling duo meet to chill tempers | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- President Zardari and PM Sharif met to discuss political, security, and regional developments, agreeing to continue political consultations.
- The meeting took place amid growing tension between the allied parties, PPP and PML-N.
- Reports surfaced that the Punjab government withdrew security from Bilawal House, drawing sharp criticism from PPP leaders.
- Punjab ministers and the Lahore Police officially denied the reports of security withdrawal, calling them false and baseless.
- Despite official denials, sources within the PPP claimed the party leadership was angered and decided not to request police protection in the future.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened at Aiwan-e-Sadr for wide-ranging discussions covering political, security, and regional developments, ultimately agreeing to sustain political consultations on crucial national issues. The high-level meeting included key figures like DPM Ishaq Dar and several federal ministers, where leaders reviewed the political climate, security situations, and international affairs, including peace efforts in Gaza. Despite the consensus on consultation, fresh friction emerged within the ruling PPP-PML-N coalition following reports that the Punjab government had withdrawn security detail from Bilawal House in Lahore. PPP leaders strongly criticized this alleged move as politically motivated pettiness, though Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and the Lahore Police spokesperson vehemently denied the reports, labeling them false and baseless. While official sources confirmed security remained intact despite routine administrative changes, sources within the PPP indicated the party leadership was angered and resolved not to accept police protection even if offered subsequently, citing an alleged prior withdrawal of security from Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani's family.
