ISLAMABAD: Not all roads lead to Raiwind, where country’s incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif resides, as some still lead to Model Town. That’s the road army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani took when he called on Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore on Saturday. It was a significant move, even though it is being classified as an unofficial visit.
While the media office of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) refrained from issuing a statement on the meeting, officials from both sides confirmed the meeting, terming it a positive step.
They added that the meeting should be taken as a consensus on national issues by military and political forces. Senior PML-N officials said the meeting was a regular congratulatory call, during which the chief of army staff met his incoming civilian boss. On the other hand, officials within military circles said the meeting between Nawaz and Gen Kayani was to send a message that the elected government and the military are on same page.
PML-N sources said the army chief’s visit to Lahore was a private one and that he arrived at Shahbaz’s Model Town residence in a private vehicle. The former Punjab chief minister had arranged lunch in his honour and invited Nawaz as well, they added.
The army chief stayed for over an hour with the Sharifs.
PML-N’s top officials said Shahbaz Sharif had discussed all concerned issues with Gen Kayani, and during the meeting, briefed Nawaz on the issues of law and order, war on terror, important portfolios and so on. Compared to Nawaz, Shahbaz has had a relatively positive relationship towards the military, including the issue of Musharraf.
Internews
