— PML-N huddle to discuss early elections
— ‘Mishandling’ of political, economic issues to be discussed
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif flew to London late Tuesday night to attend a crucial meeting summoned by his elder brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi — who is already in London — and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb have confirmed the visit.
Abbasi said that PM Shehbaz and other party leaders had requested Nawaz to call a consultative meeting.
The party sources said Nawaz is upset with the rising popularity of former premier Imran Khan and the poor performance of the Sharif government.
“Economy is the biggest challenge for elder Sharif and since the situation is deteriorating with each day passing, Nawaz Sharif plans to hold early elections,” the sources said.
The sources said that the ‘mishandling’ of political and economic issues is to be discussed at the part meeting. It merits mention that Shehbaz Sharif’s visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE have failed to garner any immediate success. At the same time, the recent talks with the IMF for US$ 8 billion have also failed to make headway.
This has further complicated the economic situation as the stock exchange is tumbling and the dollar exchange rate is also skyrocketing.
The sources said that Nawaz wanted to consult the party leadership over the issue and he has also turned down a request by Shehbaz Sharif to hold an online meeting of the party leadership.
“The PML-N is expected to make a ‘big decision’, which is why he rejected the proposal to have an online meeting,” the sources said.
It may be mentioned that party leader Ishaq Dar has already told the media that the PML-N would hold elections in October this year and any delay in polls would further damage the party.
“A discussion regarding the strategy on the prices of petroleum products will be held with Nawaz and former finance minister Ishaq Dar,” the sources said.
Moreover, decisions regarding power-sharing, the next general election, and the Punjab cabinet will also be taken during the meeting.
Last month, the PML-N supremo had met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari — a key ally in the ruling coalition — in London to discuss ways forward after a “constitutional victory for democracy, the rule of law and supremacy of parliament”.
The two leaders had agreed to work closely to “repair the rot across the board,” read a joint statement.
