Zardari serves 15 dishes at dinner, PM leaves without eating
Election on FATA seats of Senate, rumors of female candidate for Deputy Chairperson were discussed
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – 15 dishes were served on Tuesday at the dinner hosted by former president Asif Ali Zardari that was attended by representatives of all the major political parties except Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at Zardari House, Islamabad. However, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left without eating saying that he had informed Asif Zardari of his pressing engagements that wouldn’t allow him to stay till dinner, Dunya News reported.
Other guests were served with Finger fish, Bar B.Q., fish, White Chicken, Mutton and Spinach, Pickled Chicken and Biryani while Jalebi and Carrot’s Halwa were served as desserts.
PM shook hands with all the guests one-by-one on this occasion. Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Baluchistan National Party – Awami (BNP-A) leader Mir Israr Ullah Zehri introduced one of the female members saying that she should be given a front seat as she was likely to be the new Deputy Chairperson of Senate. Sources claim that the female leader hails from Baluchistan.
Prime Minister congratulated the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) candidate for Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani. He also complained about not inviting PML-N in the meeting held on Monday between the opposition parties where almost all of them agreed on Raza Rabbani’s nomination. “We are thankful to the PPP for nominating such a good person for the seat of Chairman Senate”, said the prime minister, however.
Seated near the prime minister, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfand Yar Wali Khan complained about postponement of FATA elections and said that representation in the Upper House of the Parliament was a right that FATA was being denied. Prime Minister abstained from answering the question. When Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique tried to answer on PM’s behalf, Asfand Yar Wali refused to accept his logic and said that PM had earlier said something entirely different from what Saad was saying.
Responding to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s gripes about 21st amendment and military courts, PM said that the 21st amendment was approved by all political parties. PM said that the matters could be discussed again if Maulana wasn’t satisfied.
Urging the prime minister to release funds for the members of the parliament and other public welfare projects, Asif Ali Zardari said that steps should be taken for providing relief to the common people. Zardari, Asfand Yar Wali and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar talked more at the dinner while PM, for most part, kept listening to the other leaders silently.
