Blatant interference in Pakistan's internal affairs
(Shahzad Shameem, Abbottabad)
The president of the UAE and
emir of Abu Dhabi has set foot into developing consensus between the ruling
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and
issues including selection of a caretaker prime minister — while he is on a
hunting mission. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is currently stationed
in the desert areas of Koh-e-Suleman in Pakistan for bird hunting, is also
engaged in “crucial talks” with Pakistani political leaders in wake of the
upcoming elections, sources told The Express Tribune.
Nahyan arrived in Rahim Yar Khan on December 29 and is currently camped at
Koh-e-Suleman Tehsil, Rojhan district, Rajanpur where Rangers personnel have
been deployed around nine entry points of the belt amid heightened security
arrangements. Reportedly, the emir of Abu Dhabi, along with political
engagements, is also hunting birds which have migrated from Russia to the
Pakistani territory.
According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari met Nahyan last week and
discussed some of important issues with him, including finances of the country
in next three months, transition of democracy, caretaker set up and among other
issues such as the Iran-Pakistan Gas pipeline and the Taliban insurgency.
Sources revealed that the two leaders discussed the West’s reservations over the
contentious Pak-Iran Gas pipeline, the threat of increasing militant attacks by
the Taliban and the upcoming transition period the country following the general
elections.
It was revealed that President has “cleared matters with the emir” on the
caretaker set-up. The president of the UAE also urged Zardari to hold a meeting
with PML-N’s leadership for negotiations. However, according to an official
handout from the media cell of the President House, Zardari and Nahyan discussed
“matters of mutual interests and issues of the country”. According to the
official handout of the PML-N, party president Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief
Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with Nahyan Saturday evening at his camp office in
Rojhan and discussed matters of “mutual interest”.
Sources said that Sharifs discussed with the UAE leader issues regarding the
caretaker setup and some names for the interim set up from both sides were also
exchanged. The PML-N is trying to develop consensus on the name of the chairman
of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, for the caretaker
setup and, sources said, that the party was expecting Nahyan to perform his role
in promoting this.
Sources added that Nahyan himself also put forward a few names to the Sharifs
for the interim setup.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/489743/a-visit-for-all-emirs-hunting-and-politics-at-koh-e-suleman/
Blatant interference in Pakistan's internal affairs
A visit for all: Emirs, hunting and politics at Koh-e-Suleman
UAE President Nahyan trying to develop consensus between Pakistan's two main
political parties PPP & PML-N on caretaker set-up while on tour.
LAHORE - January 6, 2013