Zardari, Shujaat discuss prevailing political situation in Punjab

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari visited the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Islamabad on Wednesday. According to reports, the two sides discuss the prevailing political situation in Punjab and decided to continue consultations in the future as well. Zardari also thanked the PML-Q president for his support in the current political situation. Federal Minister for Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema and MNA Chaudhry Salik Hussain were also present in the meeting. Sources said that Shujaat requested Zardari to play his role in reducing tensions among political parties, especially after the brawl at the Punjab Assembly earlier this month. Separately, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri spoke to PML-Q leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi and inquired after his health. A PAT delegation led by its secretary general Khurrum Nawaz Gandapur also visited Elahi on the directives of Qadri. Speaking on the occasion, Elahi said that those who should have been convicted for committing crimes had become prime minister and ministers. He said Shehbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah had issued the directive for the Model Town operation, which was conducted under the supervision of Captain (r) Usman, the Lahore DCO at the time. The incident had resulted in the killing of 14 innocent people. Qadri held the PML-N responsible for the Model Town tragedy and the Punjab Assembly brawl. He added that the previous PTI government failed to provide justice to the families of Model Town victims. Hanif Samooon