Internews/Islamabad
Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will return to the federal capital today with two crucial issues dialogue with the militant outfit
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and endgame of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on the table to be tackled.
The premier concluded his second visit to China yesterday evening and reached Lahore. He spent four hectic days in the southern Chinese province Henan’s coast city Boao where he represented Pakistan in Asian Economic Forum and delivered keynote address on the revival of ancient Silk Route.
He also had meetings with his Chinese counterpart Le Keqiang and some important business leaders who assured him of making huge investments in Pakistan. It has been a result oriented visit by all standards.
Meanwhile, well-placed sources said yesterday evening that the prime minister, who is spending his weekend in Lahore as usual, would have extensive consultations with his informal advisers including some members of federal legislature on the thorny issues.
Nawaz is getting back from China and Chinese in traditional manner had been advising the visiting leadership from Pakistan to avoid controversies back home and concentrate on economic issues. The silent Chinese advice has always been welcomed by the Pakistani leaders.
The sources said Prime Minister Nawaz, who took his special assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi with him as a member of his brief entourage, had discussed the issue of terrorism with his Chinese premier.
He took the Chinese leadership in confidence on the ongoing process of dialogue with the TTP.
The dialogue with the TTP has been on the top of incumbent government’s agenda.
An important member of the four-man government committee for direct talks with the TTP Fawad Hasan Fawad who is also special secretary to the prime minster, also accompanied the premier.
The sources pointed out that in the light of his discussions with the Chinese leaders and informal consultations which are already underway in Raiwind, the prime minister will take fresh steps to deal with thorny issues. Any important step would also be discussed with the members of the cabinet.
The sources said the impression of any stalemate in the course of dialogue with the Taliban isn’t correct, as the process would resume early next week.
The prime minister and services chiefs, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, will be together under one roof in next two days in the banquet to be hosted in the honour of visiting South Korean Prime Minister Jung Hong-won where they can have brief exchanges of views on subjects of common interest but the high echelon meeting to deal with the security issues would take place in between where the COAS, director general ISI and interior minister will also be present.
It is understood that the meeting would also help dispel misperceptions with regard to Pervez Musharraf affairs. It is likely that the issue would be resolved through mutual consultation by mid this week, the sources added.
Nawaz Sharif
