The former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qurieshi had a ‘behind closed doors’ meeting with Chief Minister, Punjab Shahbaz Sharif at Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s residence in rural Chakri on Tuesday. According to sources, Qureshi went for condolences on death of Khan’s mother on Tuesday knowingly that Chief Minister Punjab was there. The sources insisted that it was not a coincidence. “The interaction between former foreign minister and PML-N leaders was somewhat planned and was intended to give out a message to those who had launched a campaign against Qureshi,” the sources added.
According to the sources, the issues that came under discussion during this ‘behind closed doors’ meeting included national political scenario, Raymond Davis case, and the recent reshuffle in the cabinet wherein Qureshi was denied Foreign Affairs Ministry for taking a firm stand against American pressure for Davi’s release. Qureshi while talking to Online confirmed his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister at the residence of Nisar Ali Khan but he brushed aside impression that it was a political meeting.
“Me and Chaudhry Nisar are not only colleagues but we are having family relations as mine as well as his father were close friends,” Qureshi told Online adding that it was due on his part to visit Khan to condole the death of his mother. “Yes I went there for condolence and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif was there so we sat and had a cup of tea together,” he explained. “But there is no sense of having even a political chat on such a delicate occasion of condolences,” he rushed to add in the same length of breath.
Earlier the sources said PML-N leaders expressed their deep concerns and chagrin over the criticism-laden attitude of PPP Ministers over Qureshi’s policy regarding Raymond Davis issue. They praised spotless, prudent, highly professional, and non-controversial career and character of the former foreign minister, the sources added. The PML-N high-ups also appreciated policy of former Foreign Minister especially regarding the notorious case of killer American Raymond Davis that they termed was well-defined and focused from beginning. It is pertinent to mention, that sources have disclosed that Shah Mahmood Qurieshi was also an ex-PMLN leader, and had deep rooted long-term friendship with the Sharif Brethren. – Online News
