Musharraf ‘shedding crocodile tears’, says ex- Pak SCBA chief

Islamabad, Sep.19 (ANI): Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association’s former President Aitzaz Ahsan has said that former President General Pervez Musharraf is ‘shedding crocodile tears’ while admitting that removing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry from office in 2007 was a mistake.

Referring to Musharraf’s speech at Trinity University in Saint Antonio, Texas, where the former general admitted that he had committed a mistake while sacking the then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) from office, Ahsan said Musharraf had committed not only one but two mistakes by removing the higher judiciary and imposing an emergency in the country on November 3, 2007.

Talking to a private television channel, Ahsan said the government and the ‘independent’ judiciary should play their role in trying Musharraf under high treason charges.

He said it was not the right time for lawyers to take their struggle to roads, as they did previously while demanding restoration of the judiciary, The News reports.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has denied that Musharraf had taken the cabinet into his confidence before promulgating the Provisional Constitutional Ordinance (PCO) and imposing the emergency rule in 2007.

Interacting with media persons during an Iftaar party hosted by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, several party leaders rejected the notion regarding Musharraf consulting the cabinet before taking the illegal and extra-judicial actions. (ANI)

Musharraf’s trial seekers should act rather than rant: PML-Q

Karachi, Sep.12 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League -Quaid (PML-Q) has said that all those people who want former President General Pervez Musharraf to be tried for high treason should come forward and take steps regarding the trial instead of just issuing statements.

“People who want to put former President Pervez Musharraf on trial must come forward and do so because the time had come for taking practical steps rather than just debating on the thorny issue,”The Dawn quoted PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain, as saying.

“Every one will be silent on one phone call from Saudi Arabia,” Hussain added.

He came down on the current Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government saying the country was being “run by plunderers and looters of sugar, cement and flour.”

Hussain stressed that PML-Q is the real opposition party as it was founded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. (ANI)

Gilani’s silence suggests his involvement in massive corruption : PML-Q

Islamabad, Sep.8 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) has condemned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for refusing to take notice of involvement of his cabinet ministers in large scale corruption.

Senior PML-Q leader Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat said Gilani’s reluctance to take action on such charges against his ministers indicates that he too is a artner in crime, The Daily Times reports.

“The PM’s silence regarding the corruption of his ministers despite repeated pointation by the opposition proves he is also involved in various shady deals,” a press statement released by Hayat said.

Referring to the reports regarding the purchase of a house by Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in London for a whopping 4.4 million pounds, Hayat claimed that Ashraf had misappropriated funds from rental power project deals to earn huge money.

Hayat appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of this ‘blatant corruption’ and direct the government to stop the rental power projects. (ANI)

‘Musharraf to participate in Pak politics after November 30′

Islamabad, Sep 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would actively participate in politics after November 30 when a two-year constitutional bar on him holding public office comes to an end, according to a former minister.

Addressing reporters in Islamabad, former federal minister and central leader of the PML-Q, Chaudhry Shahbaz, said on Sunday that he held several meetings with the former president in London and also met him recently in Jeddah.

“Musharraf would unite various factions of the PML-Q and participate in politics from that platform,” said Shahbaz who served as Minister for Population Welfare in the Musharraf regime.

He said the two-year constitutional restriction, which prevents Musharraf from participating in politics, would end on November 30, after which he would announce his future strategy, the Daily Times reported.

Shahbaz termed Musharraf a “visionary leader whose services are required by the nation.

“After Benazir Bhutto, we have no leader … who can deliver lectures in 17 countries. Musharraf is recognised all over the world,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said he was part of the Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain-led faction of the PML-Q.

Asked about differences between Musharraf and the Chaudhry brothers, he said, “Sometimes, even brothers can develop differences. But these differences can be settled.”

Asked if any mutual friends were trying to resolve differences between the two sides, he said an effort could be launched.

“It would not be an uphill task,” he said. He said a trial for the former president could open a Pandora’s box. (ANI)

Musharraf tries to woo embattled nazims

Lahore, Sep. 2 (ANI): Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has invited ‘Nazims’ (elected officials of local governments) to meet him in Abu Dhabi in order to gain his support against government’s move to scrap the existing local government system.

Nazims already have support of the PML-Q and the MQM.

“Former president after concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia would stay for some days in the UAE where he would have consultations with nazims as well as PML-Q leaders from both Chaudhrys and Chattha camps,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

Musharraf’s aides say that in the meeting with the representatives of district governments, former president would assure them his full support inside the country and at the international fora.

“The other factor behind this meeting is to win the support of nazims for Musharraf’s future intentions to enter into national politics,” said the sources.

“The invitations have not only been extended to nazims, but also to many PML-Q leaders both from Chaudhrys and Chattha camps,” they added.

PML-Q leader Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, , who has the support of the majority of district nazims in Punjab, has asked his men to stay away from Musharraf and his invitation.

“PML-Q is already pleading local governments case wholeheartedly at all the fora, therefore, district nazims having affiliation with PML-Q need not Musharraf’s support in their cause,” said a PML-Q leader.

The paper quoted Bahawalpur district nazim Tariq Basheer Cheema as saying that he would not attend any such meeting.

“I have good relations with Chaudhry brothers and need not support of the former president to carry on struggle for the existing local government system,” he added. (ANI)

Pak Govt asked to review blasphemy law

Islamabad, Sep. 2 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has been asked by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights to re-examine the blasphemy law so that incidents like Gojra’s anti-Christian riot can be prevented.

Human Rights Ministry Secretary Farid Khan told Committee chairman PML-Q member Riaz Fatiyana that the Gojra incident reflected “a complete failure of our system.”

The Daily Times quoted Punjab Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael as saying that the government should review the blasphemy law.

He said the law should also be used against those who levelled baseless allegations against others.

PML-N leader Javed Hashmi seconded Michael’s views, and said he regretted that people were languishing in jails for the last eight to ten years under the blasphemy law.

Fatiyana said the killings were a failure on the part of administration and intelligence agencies. He urged the government to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

He added that the committee will meet Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and request him to fix a time period for trial of people arrested under blasphemy law.

Pakistan’s blasphemy law forbids-damaging a place of worship or a sacred object, outraging religious feelings, defiling the Quran and defaming Prophet Mohammed.

The Criminal Code provides penalties for blasphemy up to death and a fine.

Critics have pointed out that the blasphemy law is being used to victimise minorities. (ANI)

One call from Saudi Arabia would seal Musharraf trial seekers’ mouth: PML-Q

Lahore, Sep.2 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that former President General Pervez Musharraf had left the country after inking a deal with the present government regarding not being prosecuted under high treason charges, and that one call from Saudi government would silence Musharraf’s trial seekers.

Speaking on a television chat show, Sayed said only a single telephone call from Saudi Arabia would stop demands for Musharraf’s trial.

While ruling out any involvement of the Armed Forces in the present crisis, he said Musharraf’s trial under Article Six was impossible.

“The present system had no problem from the army or the Inter-Services Intelligence or any so-called secret agencies,” The Daily Times quoted Sayed, as saying.

Commenting on the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s threat to hold a long march demanding Musharraf’s trial, he said Pakistan could ill-afford midterm elections or long marches against the ‘democratic’ government.

Sayed said the country’s leadership should have the courage to decisions on their own rather than depending upon calls from British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Miliband or US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke. (ANI)

PML-Q supports Jamil Bugti’s decision to register case against Musharraf

Quetta, Aug. 31 (ANI): PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Husain has said that his party supports Jamil Bugti’s decision to register a case against former president Pervez Musharraf and prime minister Shaukat Aziz for conspiring his father Akbar Bugti’s assassination.

The Daily Times quoted Husain as saying that a fair trial would be conducted against the killers of the Baloch nationalist leader. He added that the PML-Q would not apologise to the Baloch people for the actions his party took while in power.

“The PML-Q made all efforts to negotiate with Akbar Bugti to resolve outstanding issues.

“We had won the confidence of Akbar Bugti to such an extent that he even agreed to nominate Mushahid Hussain as his representative in further dialogue,” Husain said.

The PML-Q chief also urged Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to visit Balochistan to see the plight of Baloch people, and address their grievances.

“The government and all stakeholders will have to work collectively to resolve Balochistan’s issues,” he said. (ANI)

Was Nawaz Sharif against conducting nuclear tests in 1998?

Lahore, Aug.30 (ANI): Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not in favour of conducting nuclear tests in 1998, but was ‘outlawed’ by his cabinet and forced to accept its decision regarding going ahead with the tests.

In an interview with a private television channel, Khan claimed that some ministers of Sharif’s cabinet also supported his views of not conducting the nuclear tests at that time.

He said that ministers like Mushahid Hussain, Nisar Ali Khan, Sartaj Aziz and Abida Hussain, during a cabinet meeting, had opposed the nuke tests which were held on May 28, 1998.

“Mushahid changed his mind and did not support the nuclear tests of May 28, 1998 during a cabinet meeting held to consider the issue,” The Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.

Khan said the present opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would confirm his claims, as he is fully aware of the incident.

However, both Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have rejected Khan’s claims.

PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain termed former Foreign Minister’s statements as a ‘joke, saying both he and Mushahid Hussain, as the Information Minister, had supported the nuclear tests.

PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal also denied Khan’s claims that Nawaz Sharif was opposed to conducting nuclear tests.

“Gohar’s statement regarding the PML-N chief’s stance on nuclear tests was contrary to fact. The statement has no relevance, as every one knew that Nawaz, the Prime Minister at the time, had decided to conduct the nuclear tests in 1998,” Iqbal said.

Meanwhile, former Federal Minister Abida Hussain said she had suggested the government to not to conduct nuclear tests in a huff merely to give a response to India.

Hussain said it was the then Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan who had pressurized Nawaz Sharif for conducting the tests immediately. (ANI)

Political wings of ISI, IB controlling political parties in Pak: PML-Q

Islamabad, Aug.26 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) has said that ‘political wings’ of state intelligence agencies were controlling political parties in the country.

In an interview with a private television channel, PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain said every democratic government in the country has been utilizing intelligence agencies such as the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to achieve their political goals.

Hussain claimed that ISI’s political wing was formed during former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s regime, The Dawn reports.

He asked the Gilani Government to constitute a Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Intelligence which would be responsible for the accountability of intelligence agencies.

However, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has rejected Hussain’s claims saying the Pakistan Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) have no political wings.

“No political eavesdropping is being carried out at any secret agencies,” Malik said.

He also rejected reports of phone tapping of some of the prominent leaders of the country. (ANI)

‘Musharraf, now an angry, frustrated and isolated figure, divorced from ground realities’

Lahore, Aug.26 (ANI): Senior Pakistan Muslim League -Quaid (PML-Q) leader Humayun Akhtar has described former Pakistan President General Pervez Musahrraf as a person ‘completely divorced from ground realities’.

Akhtar, who recently met Musharraf over dinner during his brief stay in London, found Musharraf angry, frustrated and isolated figure who was completely divorced from the ground realities

According to sources, Musharraf believes that he does not have much public support in Pakistan and is scared of the Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) chief coming to power.

During his meeting with Musharraf, Akhtar told other leaders present there that Sharif was poised to lead the country once again, as he enjoys massive support in all parts of Pakistan.

According to The Nation, several close associates of Musharraf including Brigadier (retired) Niaz and Tariq Aziz were present at the meeting.

Sources said during the meeting that Musharraf asked Akhtar to join hands with him and support him in forming a united Muslim League under his (Musharraf’s) leadership. (ANI)

Erstwhile ‘king’ Musharraf now only welcome as a ‘worker’ in ‘Kings Party’ PML-Q

Islamabad, July 10 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) is ready to accept former President General Pervez Musharraf as a ‘party worker’.

Talking to media persons at the party’s central secretariat here, PML-Q leader Kamil Ali Agha said his party would welcome Musharraf if he decides to join his party instead of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

“We are a political party. We will assist him (Musharraf) to join the party as a worker,” The Daily Times quoted Agha, as saying.

The PML-Q had contested the February 2008 legislative election with allied parties like the MQM , Pakistan Muslim League (F), and the National Peoples Party, but it lost the polls, and the Pakistan Peoples Party succeeded in forming the government. (ANI)

Why Musharraf’s memoirs’ Punjabi version of never saw the light of day

Islamabad, June 22 (ANI): The Punjabi version of Pervez Musharraf’s much debated book ‘In the Line of Fire’ has remained an untold story, as it was caught in the firing-line of Pakistani politics’ shifting loyalties, The Nation reports.

The story dates back to those days when former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi used to say that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid would get former President Pervez Musharraf elected ten times in uniform.

In 2007, Musharraf’s ‘In the Line of Fire’ was selling like hot cakes in the national and international market, and Elahi decided that the book of his boss should be translated in Punjabi, and released an amount of money for the purpose while he was holding office.

“As per decided scheme of things, a Professor of Sargodha University had to translate the book with the title ‘Baldian Bhanwan’ (burning fires) while famous Ferozsons (Pvt) Limited had to carry the responsibility for publishing it,” The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

The translation of Musharraf’s book was still underway when the tenure of PML-Q government ended in November 2007, they added.

“Then the days changed and after humiliating defeat of PML-Q in February 2008 elections, Chaudhrys distanced themselves from Musharraf, particularly when the latter asked them to quit the central command of the party. Elahi withheld funds which he was supposed to release from his personal pocket for the translation and publishing of the Punjabi version of Musharraf’s memoir,” sources said.

With the resignation of Pervez Musharraf in August 2008, the chapter closed forever, they added.

Notably, Musharraf’s book has been translated in Hindi and Tamil.(ANI)

‘Musharraf engineered defeat of 10 PML-Q leaders in 2008 polls’

Lahore, May 12 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General (r) Pervez Musharraf engineered the defeat of ten PML-Q ministers in the 2008 polls to show the world that elections were free and transparent, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has claimed.

The Daily Times quoted Hussain as saying that the defeat of 10 PML-Q ministers in the 2008 general elections was ‘pre-planned’, and Musharraf had prepared a list of 10 ministers who were to be defeated.

Claiming that his name was added to the list at the ‘very last minute’, Hussain said he conveyed to Musharraf after the elections that his party’s defeat was engineered.

However, former foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri said the list Shujaat had referred to was prepared by PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi, instead of Musharraf.

He said list making was part of Elahi’s plan to become prime minister.

Hussain said that what happened in the past must be forgotten, and all political parties must unite to move forward, as the country was passing through a very difficult time.

On the question of influencing Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s decision to transfer posted officials during governor’s rule in Punjab, Hussain rejected that the decision was “in line with my emand”. (ANI)

Pak senators want action against Musharraf for violating Constitution

Islamabad, Apr 22 (ANI): Members of Pakistan’s National Assembly have asked the Government to take action against former President Pervez Musharraf for violating the Constitution and recommended introduction of a comprehensive policy to control target killing across the country.

Jamashed Dasti of PPP said on Tuesday that parliament should initiate the trial of Pervez Musharraf for taking unconstitutional steps.

He said that Musharraf was moving freely in the country in spite of violating the constitution.

“The parliament should not play the role of a rubber stamp and take action against a dictator to set an example for others,” The Nation quoted Dasti, as saying.

Shereen Arshad Khan of the PML-N said on a point of order that the former dictator who violated the constitution was enjoying his life due to the government’s relaxation and instead of getting punishment, he was being granted official protocol.

Barjees Tahir of the PML-N said: “General (retired) Musharraf is offender of 170 million people and parliament should take action against him.”

Nadeem Afzal Chan urged the Interior Ministry to take notice of the ongoing target killing in the country and formulate an effective policy to control it.

He said that the government should call All Parties Conference to address the problems faced by the country.

Riaz Hussain Pirzada of PML-Q expressed grave concern over the institutions of the country and said that the political leadership proved itself to be a weak leadership. (ANI)

Pak MNA’s in catch-22 situation over sharia regulation

Islamabad, Apr.13 (ANI): Several members of the Pakistan Parliament who do not endorse the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation are worried, as they are unable to decide whether to speak against the deal or keep a low profile on the issue.

With President Asif Ali Zardari sending the sharia regulation bill to Prime Minister Gilani to table it before Parliament for a discussion, the members are caught in a catch 22 situation.

Parliamentarians fear a Taliban repercussion if they go against imposing the sharia law in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

“Even FATA and ANP lawmakers adopt a discreet approach while speaking against Taliban publicly and by criticising Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in the Lower House because in the presence of swift news reporting networks one cannot put his life at stake”, The Nation quoted a Pakistan Peoples’ Party leader, as saying.

Leaders believe that most of the MNA’s would keep mum on the issue during the debate due to security and religious issues.

“I am not very hopeful with the upcoming debate on Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 in the Parliament,” said a PML-Q Parliamentarian Sheikh Waqas Akram.

They also viewed that the bill would be passed by Parliament without much opposition.

“The draft would easily be passed through the Parliament in minimum span of time because there is no other way to resolve the crisis.” an ANP MNA from Swat Muzafer-ul-Mulk said. (ANI)

Zardari says Judiciary not restored under pressur

Lahore, Mar. 30 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has refuted charges that the judges were reinstated under pressure. Rather, he said they were restored at the right time keeping in view public aspirations.

“The PPP always upheld the democratic norms and strove for strengthening Pakistan and promoting politics of reconciliation,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

Addressing the parliamentary meeting of the PPP Punjab at the Governor House, the PPP co-chairman said his party is ready to sit in the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, while adding that it depended upon the PML-N how it dealt with the PPP in the Punjab.

Zardari also urged the PML-N to give up the PML-Q MPAs, as the PPP didn’t favor formation of forward bloc and would discourage it.

During his 20-minute-long address, President Zardari said the PPP wanted to promote national reconciliation and to respect the mandate of all political forces.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also addressed the meet.

He said the party was united under Asif Zardari and rumours of differences in the party were baseless.

“I stand by him who stands by Zardari,” said Bilawal. (ANI)

PML-Q chief asks PML-N to stop ‘horse-trading’

Islamabad, Mar. 28 (ANI): Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain has asked the PML (Nawaz) to stop horse-trading in its quest to poach its candidates to reach the magic number in Punjab.

“PML-N is abducting our party lawmakers to form its own favorite parliamentary party for its vested interests. To regain power in Punjab, they are indulged into kidnapping our MPAs parallel to making other MPAs lucrative offers for changing the loyalties,” The Nation quoted Hussain, as saying.
Addressing a Press conference at his residence, Hussain said that PML-N was employing ‘shameful’ and ‘illegal’ tactics like bribes for wooing PML-Q candidates.

He urged both the PPP and PML-N to end deceiving people, and demanded an end to governor’s rule in Punjab before March 30.

Hussain, who was using harsh words against the PML-N leadership after a long spell of restrain, asked the PML-N to return its forward bloc members to facilitate fresh talks.

“The agenda of talks between PML-N and ‘Q’ would now be an end to the illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional practice of horse-trading and changing of loyalties of MPAs in Punjab. If the PML-N leadership wants to unite the different factions of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), they should return our dissidents to the party fold,” he said.

The former Pakistan Prime Minister suggested to the party dissidents to migrate to India if they want to form a new parliamentary group, as there was no such law in the country’s constitution.

“There is no provision of such a new parliamentary group in Pakistan. However, there is such a law in India and if my party MPAs are interested to form a new group, they should migrate to India,” he said. (ANI)

PPP leaders accept Zardari’s proposal to form an alliance with PML-Q in Punjab

Islamabad, Mar. 20 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s proposal of forming an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid in Punjab has been accepted by senior members of the Pakistan People’s Party.

According to sources, senior leaders of his party met with Zardari at the Presidency on Thursday, and agreed with his proposal.

The meeting came after Zardari cancelled a meeting of the party’s central executive committee and decided to meet senior party leaders, the Daily Times reports.

According to Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, the meeting lasted for over four hours.

PPP leaders expressed their views on Governor’s Rule in Punjab, formation of a government in the province, the recent reinstatement of sacked judges, the Charter of Democracy and the process of forging reconciliation with all political forces in the country, Babar said.

Later, Zardari met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in a one-on-one meeting. Both discussed the current political situation in Pakistan, Governor’s Rule in Punjab and the reshuffling of the federal cabinet.

Sources said Zardari took his party members into confidence on his recent interaction with PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi.

During the meeting, Zardari stressed the need to take stock of the current situation, understand challenges that lie ahead and chart out a clear way forward.

Gilani informed the meeting about his recent reconciliatory efforts with the PML-N leadership. (ANI)

US, UK and Saudi Arabia move to sort out Pakistan’s political crisis

Islamabad, Mar 13 (ANI): In a bid to broker a truce between the PPP-led Government and the PML-N and end the ongoing political turmoil that has alarmed the international community, US and British diplomats have spoken to top Pakistani leaders.

US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke made separate telephone calls to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, President Asif Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, while US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson met Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer separately.

She also met PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday; the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

They said Zardari, Holbrooke and Patterson held a teleconference that lasted for about 30 minutes.

“We want to see the situation dealt with in accordance with the rule of law in Pakistan and that violence be avoided and that any impediments to peaceful and democratic activities not be put in place,” the State Department said in a statement on Thursday.
ritish Foreign Secretary David Miliband also telephoned Zardari. Sources said that Miliband asked the President to take immediate steps to avert a political and security chaos.

UK High Commissioner Robert Brinkley has had a number of meetings with PML-N and PPP leaders in recent days to persuade them for reconciliation.

Brinkley had met Gilani on Wednesday and urged him to play an active role to broker a patch up.

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri is also in contact with PML-N and PPP leaders.

Australian High Commissioner Zorica McCarthy is also active to defuse growing political tensions, sources said. She had met Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind estate on Wednesday. (ANI)